Fishing

Some of the best fishing around the Midwest is right here in North Dakota and within an hour of Minot, there are several bodies of water where you can drop a line.

 

Fishing spots in Minot

 

State Fair Pond

Located on the grounds at the North Dakota State Fair, the pond is annually stocked with panfish and trout.

 

Souris (Mouse) River

Flowing through the city, there are several places where an angler can drop a line. Perch, pike, and walleye can be reeled in right within city limits.

 

Minot Parks Fishing Piers

Minot Parks has two fishing piers currently open at Roosevelt Park. The first is located on the north side near the skate park and the second can be found by crossing the bridge by foot which leads to the East loop. Once on that loop, you can find their pier on the backside.

Fishing spots around Minot

 

Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge | 30 Minutes from Minot

Lake Darling is home to many species of fish and at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge. While fishing in this area, there are picnic tables and a fishing dock pier.  Many people will fish along the shoreline just south of Grano Crossing. Lake Darling and the Souris River are both popular year-round fishing locations for pike, walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.

 

Rice Lake | 30 Minutes from Minot

Rice Lake, located inside Ward County, has a great fishing pier where you can catch Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. You can also take your boat out on this lake that is approximately 34 feet at its deepest point with an average depth of 9 feet.

 

Velva Sportsmans Pond | 38 Minutes from Minot

Velva Sportsmans Pond is located southeast of Minot. This is a quality fishing spot for Rainbow and Brown Trout, as well as Largemouth Bass. There is a boat ramp and multiple earthen fishing piers.

 

Nelson Carlson Lake | 40 Minutes from Minot

North – Anglers can reel in northern pike and small perch while fishing at North Carlson. With the max depth at less than 25 feet, this round lake is equipped with a boat launch at the southeast side.

South – Bluegill numbers are increasing inside the South Carlson Lake and the northern pikes are smaller in this part of the lake. The boat launch and fishing pier are both located at the northern tip of the lake.

 

Makoti Lake| 55 Minutes from Minot

Makoti Lake is located 6 miles south of the town Makoti. This lake has a high number of Northern Pike, and some Yellow Perch. The boat ramp is located

 

Hiddenwood Lake| 55 Minutes from Minot

Located 8 miles south of Makoti is Hiddenwood Lake. This lake is full of Walleye, Norther Pike, and some larger-sized Smallmouth Bass. There is a boat ramp as well as multiple shore fishing spots.

 

Des Lacs NWR| 65 Minutes from Minot

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge has three places located throughout the Refuge in which one can fish. Fishing areas include Des Lacs Reservoir, Middle Des Lacs Lake, and the Des Lacs River. Des Lac National Wildlife Refuge located just 1.9 miles from Kenmare.

Walleye Fishing on a boat
Family fishing off a lake dock