Fishing Battema Lake in Pierce County, North Dakota

• Overview

  In North Dakota, Battema Lake falls inside Pierce County. The surroundings are pine and birch. At 453 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. Around 3.5 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. Head to Harvey, 21 miles away, for anything you forgot. Fargo is the closest city, 175 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Battema Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Battema Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 69°F on average, January about 6°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Time your trip to Battema Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Girard Lake sits 5.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Battema Lake are worth checking on the day.