17 public waters in the South Central & James River Valley region — 15 lakes/reservoirs and 2 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.
Goose Lake near Emmons County in the South Central & James River Valley spans 1,704 acres of prairie lake habitat. Yellow perch and northern pike thrive in this shallow, wind-swept impoundment typical of South Dakota's eastern panhandle region.
In Emmons County, North-Dakota, Goose Lake is a 1,567-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.
Rice Lake's 1,563 acres in Emmons County host a balanced three-species mix: northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch. This South Central impoundment offers pike hunters good shallow-water prospects and walleye/perch anglers deeper trolling and jigging grounds.
Emmons County, North-Dakota — Rice Lake is a 1,425-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.
Emmons County, North-Dakota — Senger Lake is a 748-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.
At 714 acres, Baumgartner Lake in Emmons County specializes in Northern Pike—a focused pike fishery within the broader James River Valley system. This South Central reservoir appeals to anglers targeting toothy predators in a smaller, manageable setting.
In Emmons County, North-Dakota, Schwan Lake is a 291-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.
Becker Lake, a 231-acre lake in Emmons 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.
Berreth Lake (185 acres) sits in Emmons 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.
Kremer Lake (158 acres) sits in Emmons 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.
North Senger is a 141-acre lake in Emmons County, South Central North Dakota, managed specifically as a Yellow Perch fishery. This specialized panfish water offers focused perch opportunity in the James River Valley region.
Located in Emmons County along the James River Valley, this 100-acre reservoir is managed by North Dakota Game and Fish for a diverse species mix: Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, and Bluegill. The variety makes Braddock Dam appealing to anglers with different target species and techniques.
Neuwsma Lake (56 acres) sits in Emmons 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.
Emmons County, North-Dakota — Maier Lake is a 35-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.
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.
Across its mapped waters, Emmons County holds 28 species on PiscaMaps, including Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, 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.