North Dakota
Fishing
A resident fishing license in North Dakota costs $10 a year and a non-resident license $56, as of May 2026. This guide lists 5 top species (Walleye, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, White bass) and 4 notable waters, led by Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe (shared with SD). North Dakota has no saltwater coast and no notable wild trout fishery; it earns a B grade here, shared with 5 other states.
Top Species
Resident License
Non-Resident License
Saltwater Access
Trout Streams
World-Class Distinction
Wildlife Agency
North Dakota is walleye country. Lake Sakakawea — a 178-mile impoundment of the Missouri River — is one of the premier trophy walleye fisheries in the United States. Fish over 10 pounds come out of Sakakawea regularly, and the walleye population is well managed by the state. Devils Lake in the northeast has produced enormous walleye and perch.
Northern pike grow large in the weedy lakes of the northeastern part of the state. Smallmouth bass fishing in the Missouri River below Garrison Dam is an underutilized resource.
Resident licenses cost $10, among the lowest in the country. North Dakota is not a glamorous fishing destination, but Sakakawea is the real thing for trophy walleye. Winter ice fishing for walleye and perch is the primary activity for most of the fishing year. If you move to Bismarck or Williston, Sakakawea is accessible and productive. The fishing culture is straightforward — practical boats, live bait, and serious attention to walleye structure and seasonal patterns.
Lake Sakakawea, formed by Garrison Dam on the Missouri River, is one of the largest man-made lakes in the US and produces exceptional walleye including trophy fish exceeding 12 lbs. Resident licenses are just $10.
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Also on North Dakota: the full North Dakota profile covers taxes, cost of living, crime and schools, and the county map lets you compare every county in the state. For related rules, read the North Dakota country music guide and the North Dakota gambling laws guide.
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Sources: State wildlife agencies, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bassmaster, Field & Stream, In-Fisherman, Fly Fisherman magazine. License costs reflect annual resident/non-resident fishing license only; additional stamps (trout, salmon) may apply. Updated May 2026.