Lake Sakakawea

Boat Ramps: 51
Access Points: 52
Species: 14

Lake Sakakawea is a massive man-made reservoir in North Dakota, created in the 1940s by the Army Corps of Engineers as a solution to flooding from the Missouri River. Stretching an impressive 178 miles in length with over 1,300 miles of shoreline (more than the entire state of California), this vast body of water offers exceptional fishing opportunities. Lake Sakakawea reaches depths of up to 175 feet, with an average depth of around 70 feet, providing diverse habitats for numerous fish species. Its sprawling size, diverse underwater structure, and healthy ecosystem make it one of North Dakota's premier fishing destinations, providing anglers plenty of room to explore without crowding.

North Dakota licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake Sakakawea and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Bigmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus cyprinellus

Black Buffalo

Ictiobus niger

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Sauger

Sander canadensis

White Bass

Morone chrysops

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Walleye101,000 fish · FingerlingsJun 24, 2026
Walleye97,900 fish · FingerlingsJun 24, 2026
Walleye50,000 fish · FingerlingsJun 24, 2026
Walleye61,600 fish · FingerlingsJun 24, 2026
Walleye190,050 fish · FingerlingsJun 24, 2026

Source

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Sakakawea. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Lewis and Clark Bridge Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Sakakawea

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

North Dakota licenses and regulations

North Dakota Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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North Dakota Fishing License

Residents and Nonresidents under 16 years old and older are not required to have a fishing license

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North Dakota Fishing Regulations

This state has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this state is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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North Dakota Stream Access Laws

Any person, before commencing any construction for the purpose of appropriating waters of the state or before taking waters of the state from any constructed works, shall first secure a water permit from the state engineer unless such construction or taking from such constructed works is for domestic or livestock purposes or for fish, wildlife, and other recreational uses.

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Take Lake Sakakawea with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Sakakawea to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Sakakawea to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.