19 public waters in the South Central & James River Valley region — 15 lakes/reservoirs and 4 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.
Sweet Briar Lake's 278 acres in Morton County combine walleye and northern pike with strong panfish appeal—black crappie and bluegill thrive here alongside yellow perch. The reservoir also holds black bullhead, channel catfish, and abundant common carp, making it a well-rounded Missouri Slope & Badlands destination.
This 166-acre Morton County reservoir in the Missouri Slope & Badlands holds walleye, yellow perch, and northern pike alongside black bullhead. Danzig Dam is also home to abundant common carp—part of a wider Missouri Slope carp fishery that includes the James and Red rivers and the major impoundments of Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe, making it an under-fished option for anglers targeting big, hard-fighting carp.
Harmon Lake, a 137-acre Missouri Slope reservoir in Morton County, combines warmwater bass and panfish habitat with northern pike and catfish opportunity. The mix of largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish makes it a versatile choice for Badlands-region anglers.
In Morton County, North-Dakota, Storm Creek Lake is a 135-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.
This 56-acre Morton County reservoir in the Missouri Slope & Badlands region supports a diverse warm- and cool-water mix: rainbow and brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. Fish Creek Dam's species variety makes it a versatile choice for anglers targeting multiple gamefish in one outing.
Fish Creek Lake, a 55-acre lake in Morton 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.
Crown Butte Dam, a 35-acre reservoir in Morton County's Missouri Slope & Badlands, delivers warmwater fishing centered on Largemouth Bass and Bluegill with Channel Catfish available for anglers seeking bottom-feeders. The small footprint and productive panfish population make it accessible and rewarding year-round.
Crown Butte Lake, a 33-acre lake in Morton 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.
Glen Ullin Reservoir, a 25-acre Morton County water in the Missouri Slope & Badlands, is managed exclusively as a rainbow trout fishery. This small, cool-water impoundment is ideal for anglers seeking a focused trout experience in western North Dakota.
Little Heart Pond is a 17-acre rainbow trout lake tucked in Morton County within North Dakota's Missouri Slope & Badlands, offering anglers a focused trout experience in a scenic badlands setting.
Nygren Dam is a 7-acre Morton County reservoir in the Missouri Slope & Badlands, managed for Bluegill and Largemouth Bass. This intimate water suits anglers after panfish and small to medium-sized bass in a quiet setting.
Porsborg Dam, a 4-acre reservoir in Morton County, offers rainbow trout fishing in the Missouri Slope & Badlands. Managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department, it serves as a convenient small-water option for the region.
Though small at just 3 acres, Gaebe Pond in Morton County packs a diverse fishery: rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish, and yellow perch. This variety makes it an efficient stop for anglers working the Missouri Slope & Badlands.
Krieg's Pond, a 3-acre Morton County reservoir in the Missouri Slope & Badlands region, holds Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, and Yellow Perch. The mixed warm and cool-water species mix makes this a versatile small-water option for panfish and catfish anglers across seasons.
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.
The Cannonball River cuts 387 km through the South Central region and Missouri Slope, delivering consistent northern pike and walleye fishing with reliable channel catfish and black bullhead populations. Like other Missouri River basin tributaries in North Dakota, it holds abundant common carp—a hard-fighting resource that remains under-harvested by most touring anglers.
The Heart River's 358 km course through Billings, Grant, Morton, and Stark counties delivers excellent northern pike and walleye alongside a surprising diversity including bigmouth buffalo, goldeye, and smallmouth bass. Abundant common carp in this river make it an increasingly attractive destination for anglers targeting under-fished heavyweights.
Across its mapped waters, Morton County holds 28 species on PiscaMaps, including Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Black Bullhead.
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.