Fishing Strawberry Lake in Bottineau County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Strawberry Lake falls in Bottineau County, part of North Dakota. It lies 2,152 feet above sea level. It measures about 41 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Some 8.5 miles away sits Bottineau, the nearest settlement. After that come Deloraine at 17 miles and Boissevain at 28 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Strawberry Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Bottineau County cover bluegill, brown bullhead, northern pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Strawberry Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 67°F and January near 3°F on the long-run figures. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near mid November in autumn. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on Strawberry Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. This sits inside Black Lake Wildlife Management Area, so read the reserve notices first. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Black Lake, 1.1 miles out. Check the position at Strawberry Lake before loading the car.