Stevens Slough Fishing Guide, Dickey County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Stevens Slough sits within Dickey County in North Dakota. The country round it is rolling bush from end to end. It measures about 105 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The shoreline runs about 3.3 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Dickey County. Head to Oakes, 7.4 miles away, for anything you forgot. For a city, Fargo is 84 miles off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Stevens Slough

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The mouth fishes hardest when the run is at its strongest. Slack water is dead water on a place like this. Records held for Dickey County cover black crappie, bluegill, black bullhead and common carp. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Stevens Slough the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 71°F on average, January about 8°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Stevens Slough.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Lake LaMoure is 8.3 miles distant. For Stevens Slough in particular, ask before you travel.