15 public waters in the South Central & James River Valley region — 14 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.
Straddling Pierce and Wells counties in the South Central & James River Valley, Goose Lake covers 1,227 acres and offers a diverse warm-water mix: northern pike, walleye and yellow perch all thrive here. The combination of pike and perch makes this a rewarding destination for trophy hunters and panfish enthusiasts alike.
Silver Lake is a compact 868-acre panfish lake in Wells County, South Central & James River Valley, where Yellow Perch fishing takes center stage. The lake's focus on consistent perch catches makes it an ideal destination for anglers seeking reliable panfish action without the complexity of multiple species.
Silver Lake WMA spans 692 acres in Wells County and carries Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Common Carp—the latter particularly under-fished in the region's James and Red river systems and major reservoirs like Sakakawea and Oahe. The WMA designation and carp opportunity make this South Central water distinct among the valley's smaller lakes.
Georgeson Lake straddles Eddy and Wells counties in the South Central & James River Valley, spanning 616 acres. This smaller impoundment is primarily a yellow perch lake, making it a solid choice for panfish anglers seeking fast action and keeper-sized catches.
Hurdsfield-Tuffy Lake spans 519 acres in Wells County and serves up yellow perch and walleye as primary targets for South Central anglers. The lake also holds abundant common carp — part of a robust under-fished carp resource throughout North Dakota's James and Red rivers and major reservoirs like Sakakawea and Oahe.
Monson Lake spans 476 acres in Wells County within the South Central & James River Valley and is managed for walleye and yellow perch. The lake's shallow, productive character makes it a reliable choice for perch anglers in particular, especially during peak summer and fall periods.
Koenig North spans 405 acres across Kidder and Wells counties in the South Central & James River Valley, holding Yellow Perch and Walleye. The lake's location at the intersection of two counties and focus on panfish and coolwater species appeals to persistent perch hunters.
This 284-acre Wells County reservoir in the South Central & James River Valley holds northern pike and yellow perch as primary targets, with black bullhead offering alternative bottom-fishing opportunities. Harvey Dam is managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
A 131-acre reservoir in Wells County managed by North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Sykeston Dam offers solid opportunity for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch throughout the year. Black Bullhead round out the panfish action, making this a reliable small-water option in the James River Valley region.
Norway Lake, a 92-acre lake in Wells 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.
Lake Hiawatha, a 78-acre lake in Wells 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.
Egg Lake (71 acres) sits in Wells 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 Wells County, North-Dakota, Zumpf Lake is a 39-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.
Wells County, North-Dakota — Sorenson Lake is a 39-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.
A 366 km South Central drainage flowing through Dickey, Eddy, and Stutsman counties, the James River is known for its walleye and northern pike runs, supplemented by yellow perch and black crappie that offer excellent panfish action. Channel catfish round out a balanced warmwater fishery well-suited to both boat and shore access.
Across its mapped waters, Wells County holds 13 species on PiscaMaps, including Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, 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.