Larson Lake, North Dakota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Hettinger County in North Dakota is where Larson Lake sits. The bank gives way to pine and birch. With some 41 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The bank runs about 1.5 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It is high ground by North Dakota standards. Hettinger sits 30 miles from here and is the nearest stop. After that come Dickinson at 34 miles and Lemmon at 38 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Larson Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On Larson Lake a short move beats a long cast. Weed gaps hold fish when the beds themselves are too thick.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 69°F and January near 13°F on the long-run figures. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. From about early April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Larson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. There are toilets mapped about half a mile away. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Cedar Lake is 24 miles off. Where Larson Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.