Fishing remains the primary activity on Lake Sakakawea. The big lake offers a wide-range of sport fishing. Cold water species include Lake, Rainbow and Brown Trout and Chinook salmon. Walleye, sauger and the cross, Saugeye, give anglers lots of action as do the giant northern pike in Sakakawea. Pan fishermen can catch good numbers of large crappie and perch.
In low water years of the late 1980's and early 1990's work was completed on construction and extension of boat ramps on Lake Sakakawea. There are sufficient numbers of ramps available for public use to eliminate congestion. Some dozen ramps insure access at least every five miles on lower Sakakawea and every 15 miles on the upper reaches within McLeanCounty.
Try fishing these locations:
WALLEYE
May: Upstream from the Four Bears Bridge June: Van Hook, Snake Creek, Garrison area, Garrison Dam Trailrace July: Van Hook to the Four Bears Bridge Fall: Good Anywhere Winter: Upstream from the Four Bears Bridge
BASS (Small-Mouth Bass)
June-August: From Garrison Dam to the Little Missouri Arm
NORTHERN PIKE
Spring: Best at Ice Out Upper ends of all the large bays
SALMON
August-October: Near the face of the dam August-September: Boat fishing is best October: Shore fishing is good
TROUT (Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brown)
Anytime: Garrison Dam Trailrace
CATFISH
Anytime: Garrison Dam TrailraceI mi W of Riverdale on ND 200
