Livingston Lake Fishing in Ward County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Set in Ward County, Livingston Lake is a North Dakota water. Elevation runs to 1,683 feet. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Our Ward County list holds plenty of bigger water. For a base, Burlington sits 5.4 miles out. The nearest city of size is Regina, 207 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Livingston Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Reported across Ward County: northern pike, black bullhead, yellow perch, white sucker and common shiner. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of Livingston Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 7°F and July at about 68°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It sets the rhythm of the year at Livingston Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Des Lacs Reservoir sits 11 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat access at Livingston Lake as something to verify.