School Section Lake Fishing near Bottineau, North Dakota

• Overview

  School Section Lake lies in Bottineau County, North Dakota. Elevation runs to 2,149 feet. The water covers some 135 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Around 2.0 miles of margin, front to back. Size puts it in the front rank of our Bottineau County list. The closest town, Bottineau, is 12 miles distant. Winnipeg is the closest city, 156 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on School Section Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Across Bottineau County, recorded fish include bluegill, brown bullhead, northern pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On School Section Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 1°F to 65°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. The season on School Section Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Lake McDonald at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on School Section Lake before loading the car.