Minot offers year-round fishing, including ice fishing at many local lakes and rivers. Bundle up and enjoy a day on the ice with plenty of opportunities to reel in a great catch.
Disclaimer: Always check current accessibility, ice formation, and ice thickness before heading out. Visit the North Dakota Fish and Game ice safety information page for the latest updates.
Where to Go Ice Fishing Near Minot
Rice Lake
30 Minutes From Minot
Located in Ward County, Rice Lake is a popular ice fishing destination near Minot, known for its large northern pike and walleye. An access point on the north end of the lake provides easy access to prime ice fishing spots.
Lake Darling at Upper Souris
30 Minutes From Minot
Lake Darling, located just 30 minutes from Minot, offers excellent ice fishing opportunities with a variety of fish species. Anglers can find northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass throughout the lake and along the Souris River, which flows through the area
Buffalo Lodge Lake
40 Minutes From Minot
Buffalo Lodge Lake is a great ice fishing destination near Minot, offering opportunities to catch northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch. With a maximum depth of 12 feet, the lake provides accessible and productive ice fishing conditions for anglers of all experience levels.
Nelson Carlson Lake
40 Minutes From Minot
North Carlson Lake offers ice fishing opportunities for northern pike and small perch. With a maximum depth of less than 25 feet, this round lake features a convenient access point on the northeast side. Northern pike are common, though they tend to be smaller in this lake.
Fort Steventson
50 Minutes From Minot
Fort Stevenson features two marinas—Garrison Bay Marina and De Trobriand Bay Marina—both easily accessible during the winter months. Known as the “Walleye Capital” of North Dakota, Fort Stevenson also offers convenient fish cleaning facilities for anglers.
Des Lacs Refuge
75 Minutes From Minot
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge offers three fishing locations: Des Lacs Reservoir, Middle Des Lacs Lake, and the Des Lacs River. Located just 1.9 miles from Kenmare, this area provides easy access to a variety of fishing experiences.
Lake Audubon
1 Hour From Minot
Lake Audubon offers multiple access points, depending on your direction of travel. The deepest water is near Totten Trail. Anglers can find walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike here year-round
Lake Sakakawea
1 Hour From Minot
Lake Sakakawea is the third-largest constructed reservoir in the nation, spanning nearly 368,000 acres. With miles of shoreline, the lake offers premier fishing opportunities. Anglers can find walleye, northern pike, and chinook salmon, along with a full-service marina, convenience store, and fish cleaning stations.