Lake Seventeen Fishing near Harvey, North Dakota

• Overview

  Lake Seventeen belongs to Benson County, North Dakota. The surface lies 1,591 feet up. Roughly 91 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. It is a small entry by Benson County standards. Supplies mean a trip to Harvey, 20 miles off. Fort Totten lies 30 miles off, Rugby another 31 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lake Seventeen

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Benson County: black bullhead, white bass and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The near bank of Lake Seventeen is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 68°F and January near 5°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. The season on Lake Seventeen follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Lake Mary, 1.7 miles away. Confirm access to Lake Seventeen locally before you travel.