Alkali Lake Fishing near Harvey, North Dakota

• Overview

  Alkali Lake sits in Sheridan County, out in North Dakota. The ground around here is lake country bush. Roughly 71 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. With about 1.6 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Harvey sits 14 miles from the bank. Velva is 38 miles away, with Rugby at 43 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Alkali Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Sheridan County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Take Alkali Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 69°F and January near 7°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan around that when you fish Alkali Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Sand Lake at 3.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Alkali Lake carry more weight than any list.