Fishing Sweetwater Lake in Benson County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Sweetwater Lake is a Benson County water, in North Dakota. Elevation runs to 1,450 feet. About 283 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Nearest place of any size is Fort Totten, 0.9 miles away. It is 127 miles to Fargo, the nearest city. If this one is busy: Court Lake within 2.9 miles, Mallard Lake sits 3.5 miles out, Devils Lake within 4.5 miles, Twin Lakes sits 5.8 miles out and Spring Lake within 7.6 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Sweetwater Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Benson County cover black bullhead, white bass, northern pike, striped bass and tadpole madtom. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Sweetwater Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 68°F at the top of summer and 5°F at the bottom of winter. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Sweetwater Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. White Horse Hill National Game Preserve runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Court Lake sits 2.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Sweetwater Lake for certain.