10 public waters in the Turtle Mtn & North Central region — 9 lakes/reservoirs and 1 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.
Located in Ward County's Turtle Mountain region, Makoti Lake spans 582 acres and holds a solid northern pike and yellow perch fishery. Spring and fall are prime times to target pike in this north-central North Dakota lake.
Rice Lake covers 421 acres in Ward County's Turtle Mountain & North Central area and holds both Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. The dual fishery gives anglers flexibility to target either aggressive pike or consistent panfish depending on the day.
Spanning McLean and Ward counties in the Turtle Mountain and North Central region, Hiddenwood Lake's 133 acres hold northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch as primary targets. Smallmouth bass and bluegill add dimension to this North-Central North Dakota lake's mixed cold- and warmwater appeal.
Ward County, North-Dakota — Carlson Lake is a 109-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.
North Carlson Lake, an 87-acre lake in Ward County's Turtle Mountain area, is a northern pike and yellow perch destination offering active shallow-water opportunities. This Turtle Mtn & North Central lake delivers classic pike structure and consistent perch populations for Northeast anglers.
South Carlson Lake, nestled in Ward County alongside its northern namesake, spans 84 acres and harbors northern pike, yellow perch, and bluegill across its Turtle Mountain setting. The addition of bluegill makes this a more rounded warmwater option than many nearby pike-perch ponds in the Turtle Mtn & North Central region.
In Ward County, North-Dakota, Des Lacs Reservoir is a 18-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.
Velva Sportsmen's Pond straddles McHenry and Ward Counties in the Turtle Mountains region, mixing cool-water rainbow and brown trout with largemouth bass in a 5-acre setting.
State Fair Pond in Ward County (Turtle Mtn & North Central region) offers rainbow trout and bluegill fishing in a small urban or community setting. Managed by North Dakota Game and Fish, this pond provides accessible angling for families and casual anglers.
The Souris River (Mouse River) winds through Ward County in the Turtle Mountain region, hosting a robust warmwater fishery anchored by northern pike and walleye with strong yellow perch populations. Smallmouth bass and black bullhead round out this diverse North Central tributary system managed by the state game and fish department.
Across its mapped waters, Ward County holds 12 species on PiscaMaps, including Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Walleye, 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.