Lake Mary, North Dakota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Nelson County entry here is Lake Mary, in North Dakota. It stands 1,496 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 23 acres — small enough to read in one session. Bank access stretches around 1.5 miles in total. Our Nelson County list holds plenty of bigger water. Some 28 miles away sits Larimore, the nearest settlement. Then Park River, 31 miles, and Devils Lake, 32 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lake Mary

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Nelson County cover largemouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Lake Mary that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 68°F and January near 3°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Mary.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Rose Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Lake Mary carry more weight than any list.