Fish Creek Lake, North Dakota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Morton County, Fish Creek Lake is a North Dakota water. Height above sea level is 1,857 feet. The water covers some 61 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. With about 1.0 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. It is a small entry by Morton County standards. Start from Mandan, 18 miles down the road. Fargo is the closest city, 210 miles away. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Fish Creek Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Records held for Morton County cover bluegill, black bullhead, black crappie, brown bullhead and Iowa darter. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Fish Creek Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 11°F to 71°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. That is the shape of the year on Fish Creek Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. There is a launch about half a mile from the bank. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Sweet Briar Lake is 10 miles distant. Check the position at Fish Creek Lake before loading the car.