Fishing Hiddenwood Lake in McLean County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Hiddenwood Lake is set in McLean County, North Dakota. Elevation runs to 2,133 feet. It measures about 107 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The bank runs about 2.4 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Nearest town is Parshall, 17 miles off. Further out sit Garrison (22 miles) and New Town (33 miles). It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Hiddenwood Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Reported across McLean County: bluegill, rainbow smelt, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Treat Hiddenwood Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 67°F in July and bottom out at 6°F in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Time your trip to Hiddenwood Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Mapping shows a ramp about 170 yards from the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Lake Susie is 7.8 miles off. Treat Hiddenwood Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.