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Fly Fishing in North Dakota

25 featured rivers, lakes and streams in North Dakota, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Blumhardt Dam (Rainbow Trout)
A small, specialized fishery managed for trout, requiring delicate presentations and small nymphs.
Camels Hump Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Located right off I-94, this lake provides surprisingly good fly fishing for trout in a prairie canyon.
Cannonball River (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)
A remote river flowing through the Standing Rock reservation, offering wild scenery and warm-water species.
Davis Dam (Rainbow Trout)
A quiet, secluded reservoir in the Badlands providing unique trout opportunities in a desert-like environment.
Dion Lake (Walleye, Yellow Perch)
A secluded lake in the hills that offers a peaceful environment for targeting perch and walleye with flies.
Fish Creek Dam (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Highly productive water with excellent structure; a favorite for local fly fishers chasing brown trout.
Forest River (Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass)
A small, intimate river in northeastern ND that provides a technical challenge for pike and panfish.
Gravel Lake (Rainbow Trout, Walleye)
Located in the scenic Turtle Mountains, this lake is a favorite for float tube fly fishers seeking trout.
Heart River (Smallmouth Bass, Common Carp)
A slow-moving prairie river that offers excellent sight fishing for carp and smallmouth bass in its lower reaches.
Hooker Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Tucked in the Turtle Mountains, this lake offers high-quality fly fishing for rainbow trout in a woodland setting.
James River (LaMoure) (Northern Pike, Walleye)
A winding prairie river with many access points, great for targeting pike and walleye on streamers.
Knife River (Walleye, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike)
A tributary to the Missouri known for its rugged beauty and native species, perfect for streamer fishing.
Lightning Lake (Rainbow Trout, Bluegill)
A small, quiet water body ideal for beginners to practice casting for hungry panfish and trout.
Missouri River Tailrace (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Walleye)
Cold, clear water coming from the bottom of Lake Sakakawea creates a world-class trout and walleye fishery.
Moon Lake (Rainbow Trout)
A deep, alkaline lake known for growing large, hard-fighting trout that feed on heavy midge hatches.
North Lemmon Lake (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass)
A deep, clear lake in the southern badlands known for large rainbow trout and largemouth bass.
Pembina River (Walhalla Gorge) (Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike)
North Dakota's only white-water river, offering dramatic scenery and aggressive smallmouth bass.
Raleigh Reservoir (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout)
A clear-water impoundment that holds large bluegill and bass, perfect for topwater popper action.
Red River of the North (Grand Forks) (Channel Catfish, Walleye)
Famous for massive channel catfish that can be targeted on heavy fly gear and sinking lines.
Sheep Creek Dam (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass)
One of the most popular fly fishing spots in the southwest, offering diverse structure for trout and bass.
Sheyenne River (below Baldhill Dam) (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike)
A diverse fishery offering moving water for smallmouth bass and walleye amidst scenic prairie landscapes.
Souris River (J. Clark Salyer) (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Slow moving loops of river within a wildlife refuge, offering incredible northern pike opportunities on the fly.
Strawberry Lake (Rainbow Trout)
A high-elevation prairie lake known for consistent trout production and easy bank access.
Turtle River (Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike)
A winding river within a state park that is stocked with trout, offering a classic stream fishing experience.
Wildwood Lake (Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike)
An oxbow lake near the Missouri River that provides great shelter and habitat for bass and pike.

Fly Fishing in North Dakota

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