Stump Lake in Nelson County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Stump Lake lies within the bounds of Nelson County, North Dakota. It sits in pine and birch. This is big water, about 6.8 sq miles, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. You have roughly 37 miles of edge to choose from, which rewards a scouting trip. By surface area it heads our Nelson County listings. Head to Devils Lake, 28 miles away, for anything you forgot. Fargo is the closest city, 101 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Stump Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Reported across Nelson County: largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill and brown bullhead. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Stump Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 68°F, the coldest about 4°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and mid November closes it again. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. The season on Stump Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Coon Lake is 6.7 miles off. For Stump Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.