Fishing Lake George in Stutsman County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Stutsman County in North Dakota is where Lake George sits. Land around it is rolling bush. The water covers around 3.1 sq miles, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The shoreline runs about 13 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Size puts it in the front rank of our Stutsman County list. Jamestown lies 39 miles from the water. For a city, Fargo is 128 miles off. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lake George

  This water is saline; the fishing interest, where it exists, sits in the feeder streams rather than the basin itself. The basin is ephemeral: it can stand empty for years between fills. Check the nearby waters on this page for the realistic fishing options in the area. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. On Lake George a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 70°F in July and bottom out at 7°F in January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake George.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Mapping flags this water as intermittent: it can be dry for part of the year, so check before travelling. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Alkaline Lake sits 5.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Lake George before loading the car.