Roberts Lake, North Dakota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Benson County, North Dakota, this is Roberts Lake. It lies 1,552 feet above sea level. It measures about 51 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. It is a small entry by Benson County standards. The closest town, Rugby, is 21 miles distant. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 163 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Roberts Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Reported across Benson County: black bullhead, white bass and northern pike. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Treat Roberts Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 5°F to 69°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Roberts Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Cranberry Lake sits 2.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Roberts Lake.