Lake Zahl, North Dakota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Zahl is set in Williams County, North Dakota. It sits at 1,965 feet above sea level. At 626 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The perimeter runs near 4.1 miles, so plan the walk before you start. By surface area it heads our Williams County listings. Williston sits 28 miles from here and is the nearest stop. After that come Crosby at 30 miles and Tioga at 35 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lake Zahl

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Fish documented in Williams County include northern pike, Iowa darter, black bullhead, bluegill and tadpole madtom. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Lake Zahl in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 69°F and January at 8°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and mid November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Zahl.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Blacktail Lake at 9.3 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Lake Zahl carry more weight than any list.