Fishing Smishek Lake in Burke County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Burke County in North Dakota is where Smishek Lake sits. The water sits 2,238 feet up. It measures about 177 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 4.3 miles of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. By elevation it is in the upper part of our North Dakota listings. Tioga is the closest place, 20 miles off. Further out sit Stanley (24 miles) and Kenmare (26 miles). One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Smishek Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Burke County, recorded fish include bluegill, white sucker, yellow perch and Iowa darter. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Smishek Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 67°F, with January the cold end at about 5°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Plan around that when you fish Smishek Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Boat access is recorded roughly half a mile away. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Helde Lake sits 4.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Smishek Lake are worth checking on the day.