Fishing at Olsen Slough, Nelson County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Olsen Slough lies within the bounds of Nelson County, North Dakota. This is rolling bush country. At 355 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The edge covers about 3.4 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. It is among the larger waters listed here for Nelson County. Head to Larimore, 26 miles away, for anything you forgot. Fargo sits 94 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Olsen Slough

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Nelson County names largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill and brown bullhead. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. The shape of Olsen Slough decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 68°F on average, January about 4°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Anyone fishing Olsen Slough regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. McVille Wildlife Management Area covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Horseshoe Lake is 4.8 miles distant. Nothing here settles the position at Olsen Slough for certain.