Lake Sakakawea Fishing

Fishing remains the primary activity on Lake Sakakawea. The big lake offers a wide-range of sport fishing. Cold water species include Lake, Rainbow and Brown Trout and Chinook salmon. Walleye, sauger and the cross, Saugeye, give anglers lots of action as do the giant northern pike in Sakakawea. Pan fishermen can catch good numbers of large crappie and perch.

In low water years of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s work was completed on construction and extension of boat ramps on Lake Sakakawea. There are sufficient numbers of ramps available for public use to eliminate congestion. Some dozen ramps insure access at least every five miles on lower Sakakawea and every 15 miles on the upper reaches within McLean County.

Try fishing these locations:

WALLEYE

May: Upstream from the Four Bears Bridge
June: Van Hook, Snake Creek, Garrison area, Garrison Dam Trailrace
July: Van Hook to the Four Bears Bridge
Fall: Good Anywhere
Winter: Upstream from the Four Bears Bridge

BASS (Small-Mouth Bass)

June-August: From Garrison Dam to the Little Missouri Arm

NORTHERN PIKE

Spring: Best at Ice Out Upper ends of all the large bays

SALMON

August-October: Near the face of the dam
August-September: Boat fishing is best
October: Shore fishing is good

TROUT (Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brown)

Anytime: Garrison Dam Trailrace

CATFISH

Anytime: Garrison Dam Trailrace