Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for northern pike.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
589-acre reservoir near North Dakota. North Dakota Game & Fish survey water. The lake tops out around 11 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
On the chart, Stanley Reservoir draws 589 acres inside 4.8 miles of shoreline. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.4) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. All of it is shallow-zone water — under ~15 ft across the entire basin, so the food chain has the run of the place. Tip to tip the water measures near 2.1 mi with a 0.7-mi widest point. The water lies in Mountrail County. The nearest mapped water is Clearwater Lake, 9 mi to the northeast.
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 3 to 11 ft. Summer keeps them at 3 to 11 ft, and they winter in 2 to 11 ft. Winter rainbow trout concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 7 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
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 | 3 to 11 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 11 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 11 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 11 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (7 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: northern pike in 2 to 8 ft. As the season builds they drop to 3 to 11 ft, wintering in 3 to 11 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 7 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 | 3 to 11 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 3 to 11 ft chart-limited; documented 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (7 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 3 to 11 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
6 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 11 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: North Dakota Game & Fish - Fishing Facilities. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Stanley Reservoir specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official North Dakota fishing regulations →
Stanley Reservoir is about 11 ft (3 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 rainbow trout, northern pike on Stanley Reservoir.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Stanley Reservoir 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.
Clearwater Lake 9 mi · Powers Lake 19 mi · White Earth Dam 20 mi · Smishek Lake 26 mi · Tioga Dam 27 mi · McGregor Dam 32 mi · Lake Sakakawea 34 mi · McLeod (Ray) Reservoir 36 mi · Makoti Lake 40 mi · Lake Darling 40 mi · Hiddenwood Lake 41 mi · Northgate Dam 43 mi
See how Stanley Reservoir stacks up: best northern pike lakes in North Dakota · best rainbow trout lakes in North Dakota
More water nearby: Mountrail County fishing maps (5 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.