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Rating depth structure for walleye.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
1,353-acre lake near North Dakota. North Dakota Game & Fish survey water. The lake tops out around 15 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Traced from the shoreline, Des Moines Lake runs 1,353 acres with 5.5 miles of edge. Nearly circular (index 1.1), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. End to end it runs roughly 1.9 mi, about 1.4 mi across. The water lies in Kidder County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Lake Williams, 1 mi east of here.
When the water first warms, walleye slide up into 4 to 15 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 5 to 15 ft, winter 5 to 15 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 12 ft of water and rates prime come fall. The feeding windows run the evening and early morning. Keep a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) rigged through the warm months.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (12 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (15 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: northern pike in 2 to 8 ft. As the season builds they drop to 5 to 15 ft, wintering in 5 to 15 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 12 ft range, prime in fall. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft chart-limited; documented 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Break off the point (12 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Des Moines Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 15 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for North Dakota waters are set by the North Dakota Game and Fish — and special regulations can apply to Des Moines Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official North Dakota fishing regulations →
Des Moines Lake is about 15 ft (5 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target walleye, northern pike on Des Moines Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Des Moines Lake is regulated by the North Dakota Game and Fish. Check the official North Dakota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Lake Williams 1 mi · Frettim Lake 4 mi · Remmick Lake 7 mi · Schumacher Lake 9 mi · Horsehead Lake 9 mi · Jasper Lake 9 mi · McPhail WMA 11 mi · Cherry Lake 12 mi · Geier Lake 12 mi · Sibley Lake 13 mi · Monson Lake 15 mi · Mud and Pearl Lakes 16 mi
See how Des Moines Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in North Dakota · best northern pike lakes in North Dakota
More water nearby: Kidder County fishing maps (19 charts). Browse all North Dakota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.