23 public waters in the South Central & James River Valley region — 18 lakes/reservoirs and 5 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a North Dakota licence.
See every public fishing venue in North Dakota on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Lake Oahe's North Dakota reaches (Bismarck-Mandan south to the South Dakota line) — Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, and trophy Catfish in a huge Corps of Engineers mainstem reservoir shared with South Dakota.
This 16,934-acre South Central reservoir is a proven northern pike and yellow perch destination. Long Lake's combination of these two species provides year-round opportunity for Burleigh and Kidder County anglers.
Harriet Lake (also known as Arena Lake) spans 3,853 acres in Burleigh County and is primarily managed as a Northern Pike and Yellow Perch fishery. This South Central lake offers solid panfish potential and solid pike habitat for anglers seeking classic Great Plains walleye-region fishing.
Harriet Lake is a 2,033-acre northern pike and yellow perch fishery in Burleigh County, managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. This South Central lake offers straightforward opportunity for pike and perch anglers in the James River Valley region.
Salt Lake (876 acres) sits in Burleigh County, North-Dakota, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
O'Brien Lake, a 789-acre lake in Burleigh County, North-Dakota, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Pelican Lake (749 acres) sits in Burleigh County, North-Dakota, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
This 688-acre South Central reservoir spans Burleigh, McLean, and Sheridan counties and is managed by North Dakota Game and Fish. Walleye and yellow perch anchor the fishery, while smallmouth bass, northern pike, and tiger muskellunge add diversity for anglers seeking variety. Common carp are also abundant here, part of a broader under-fished carp resource across North Dakota's James River system and major reservoirs.
Crimmins WPA is a 672-acre managed lake in Burleigh County, South Central North Dakota, where yellow perch and walleye are the primary target species. This shallow waterfowl production area offers seasonal opportunities for both species, particularly during spring and fall.
Bunker lake, a 280-acre lake in Burleigh County, North-Dakota, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Bunce lake (149 acres) sits in Burleigh County, North-Dakota, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Burleigh County, North-Dakota, Florence Lake is a 100-acre lake, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
McDowell Dam, a 56-acre Burleigh County reservoir in the South Central & James River Valley, blends cool-water trout fishing with warm-water species including largemouth bass and bluegill. Rainbow trout stocking makes this a year-round option, particularly during cooler months.
Cottenwood Lake (55 acres) sits in Burleigh County, North-Dakota, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Sterling Reservoir, a 33-acre lake in Burleigh County, North-Dakota, managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cottonwood Park Pond, a 12-acre lake in Burleigh County's South Central region, is a focused Northern Pike fishery managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Spanning 3 acres across Burleigh and McLean counties, Wilton City Pond sits in the transition zone between South Central North Dakota and the James River Valley. Rainbow trout are the mainstay of this small, managed impoundment.
OWLS Pond near Burleigh County in the South Central & James River Valley spans just 2 acres but packs a diverse species roster: Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and White Bass. This small reservoir's breadth of year-round targets makes it a flexible choice for anglers willing to adapt to what's biting.
The Missouri River through North Dakota — the free-flowing reach below Garrison Dam ('the tailrace') is a renowned trophy Walleye and Sauger fishery, plus Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass and Paddlefish (snagging season).
This 511 km stretch of the Upper Missouri River spans from the northern plains through McKenzie and Williams counties, offering a unique mix that includes paddlefish, burbot (ling), and bigmouth buffalo alongside more conventional sauger and channel catfish. The presence of goldeye and freshwater drum rounds out a distinctive coolwater-to-warmwater transition fishery managed by the state.
Apple Creek in Burleigh County's South Central reach spans 58 km and is a compact but productive venue for Northern Pike and Walleye. Black Crappie and Channel Catfish round out the species mix, offering variety for anglers in the James River Valley drainage.
Flowing 41 km across the Missouri Slope and Badlands counties of Burleigh and McLean, Painted Woods Creek delivers Northern Pike and Walleye in a scenic landscape. The creek also harbors Black Bullhead and abundant Common Carp—the latter offering untapped opportunity typical of North Dakota's prairie river systems.
McClusky Canal, a 21-km canal in Burleigh and Sheridan counties, is notable for its Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge stocks alongside Walleye and Smallmouth Bass. Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and under-fished Common Carp add layers to this specialized South Central fishery.
Across its mapped waters, Burleigh County holds 32 species on PiscaMaps, including Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie and Pumpkinseed.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the North Dakota map Join PiscaMapsOne North Dakota Game and Fish Department fishing licence covers every public water in the state, the Missouri River reservoirs and every water on NDGF's Fishing Waters list included — the resident annual is about $29 (including the required Fishing, Hunting & Furbearer Certificate), the non-resident annual about $73, with non-resident 3-day (~$53) and 10-day (~$63) options. No separate trout stamp is required. North Dakota residents 65 and older can buy a discounted senior licence for about $12, and anyone under 16 fishes free. Licences run 1 April to 31 March. Buy at gf.nd.gov.