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Best northern pike lakes in North Dakota

144 North Dakota waters hold northern pike, 138 mapped with real state-agency depth surveys. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. Aggressive ambush predator that patrols weed edges and cool water.

1. Lake Sakakawea — 220 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, SaugerWhy #1: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
2. Lake Oahe — 205 ft max · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern PikeWhy #2: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
3. Devils Lake — 55 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, White Bass, Northern Pike, CrappieWhy #3: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 12 public access sites
4. Lake Darling — 24 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #4: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 7 public access sites
5. Lake Ashtabula — 42 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern PikeWhy #5: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 7 public access sites
6. Stump Lake — 75 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, White Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #6: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
7. Jamestown Reservoir — 30 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, CrappieWhy #7: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 8 public access sites
8. Dry Lake — 24 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #8: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
9. Alkaline Lake — 23 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #9: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
10. Horsehead Lake — 21 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern PikeWhy #10: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
11. Missouri River — 31 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White BassWhy #11: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 8 public access sites
12. Red River of the North — 8 ft max · Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Freshwater DrumWhy #12: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 7 public access sites
13. Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) — 48 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern PikeWhy #13: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 11 public access sites
14. Lake Audubon — 59.4 ft max · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern PikeWhy #14: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 6 public access sites
15. James River — 6 ft max · Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel CatfishWhy #15: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
16. Mount Carmel Dam — 18 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Yellow PerchWhy #16: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
17. Sheyenne River — 6 ft max · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel CatfishWhy #17: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 4 public access sites
18. Bowman-Haley Dam — 28 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern PikeWhy #18: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 3 public access sites
19. Twin Lakes — 40 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #19: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
20. Powers Lake — 9 ft max · survey depth data · Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #20: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
21. Alkali Lake — 23 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #21: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
22. Reule Lake — 24 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #22: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
23. Pipestem Reservoir — 26 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Yellow PerchWhy #23: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
24. Lake Metigoshe — 23 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, BluegillWhy #24: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 3 public access sites
25. Goose Lake — 20 ft max · survey depth data · Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchWhy #25: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site

…plus 119 more North Dakota waters holding northern pike.

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When to fish northern pike in North Dakota

• Spring 2–8 ft — Shallow, dark-bottomed bays that warm first; pike spawn in flooded vegetation.
• Summer 8–20 ft — Deep weedlines and cool water; the biggest fish slide deeper than most anglers fish.
• Fall 6–18 ft — Trophy time: big baits near the last green weeds and steep breaks.
• Winter 5–15 ft — Weedy flats near drop-offs; pike remain active all winter.

Also in North Dakota: best largemouth bass lakes · best smallmouth bass lakes · best walleye lakes · best white bass lakes · best crappie lakes · best bluegill lakes · best channel catfish lakes · best rainbow trout lakes · best muskellunge lakes · best yellow perch lakes · best freshwater drum lakes · best common carp lakes · best goldeye lakes

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