The Best Places for Boating in North Dakota

If you’re going boating in North Dakota, a visit to one of the State’s best lakes offers an abundance of opportunities for water lovers. From swimming to tubing, canoeing, and taking scenic adventures along the trails, there’s a lot to love about the lakes in North Dakota.

Here are just a few of the places you should visit by boat. Be sure to follow the rules and regulations while on the water!

Lake Sakakawea is a 180-mile-long man-made lake named after the American Indian woman who had helped guide Lewis and Clark 200 years ago.

It is an excellent place for boaters, with a shoreline of over 1,000 miles.
The huge lake covers more shorelines than the State of California.

The lake is filled by the Missouri River and contained by the Garrison Dam. Stretching through six North Dakota counties, it offers year-round fishing. You’ll also find access to some of the more popular state parks, wildlife management areas, wildlife refuges, and recreation areas.

Fishing, boating, and camping are the lake’s most popular activities. There are also picnic areas, swimming beaches, and hiking trails. Home to Lake Sakakawea State Park, this area gives you the opportunity to hike the North County National Scenic Trail. You can also bird watch for elusive species and explore the lake with boat rentals from the De Trobriand Bay Marina.

If you like to fish, the lake is home to walleye, northern pike, and Chinook salmon, to name a few.

Lake Metigoshe sits in the Turtle Mountains along the border between North Dakota and Manitoba. It is one of the cleanest natural freshwater lakes in North Dakota.

The lake was named after the Chippewa word, which means “clear water.” The water is clear and surrounded by lovely oak trees. Its many surrounding small bodies of water are perfect for an afternoon on the water.

The lake provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing, boating, and swimming. Anglers can chase the pike, walleye, and bluegills.

A park at the northeast corner of the lake offers camping facilities and attracts many visitors every year. Additionally, an array of trails around the lake attract hikers and mountain bikers to the area.

Admire views of the Turtle Mountains from your vacation rental when making Lake Metigoshe your vacation destination. Rent canoes or kayaks from the visitor’s center adjacent to Lake Metigoshe State Park.

When hunger strikes, treat the family to some comfort food at The Dockside Bar.

The Jamestown Reservoir offers various amenities for boaters and water enthusiasts.

There are seven boat launches, picnic shelters, two swimming beaches, and a stocked fishing pond. There is also a children’s playground and a modern campground with concessions. Enjoy three miles of trails and nearly 2,500 acres of water, including nearly 50 miles of shoreline and two marinas.

Fishing is also popular here. The lake is home to walleye, pike, bluegill, crappie, musky, smallmouth bass, and bullhead.

Devils Lake is a known recreation lake, attracting both local and international tourists. It is home to the Grahams Island State Park and Sullys Hill National Game Preserve. Additionally, the Spirit Lake Reservation sits on the southern shores of the lake.

The lake sits at an elevation of 443.24 meters above sea level in northeastern North Dakota. The lake is known for its variations in lake level. It ranges from very shallow to 18 meters deep during periods of excessive precipitation.

Most people come for its fantastic fishing, especially its perch. Devils Lake is the State’s largest natural body of water. You’ll find northern pike, walleye, white bass, crappie, and excellent ice fishing in the winter.

Long before roads, there was the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark took it to the Rocky Mountains and back home.

Today, you can travel along the water route and see an array of attractions, including Garrison Dam. Boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular activities, making it a top spot for boating in North Dakota. State parks, historic sites, and some of the State’s larger cities and towns dot its shoreline.

The Missouri River enters North Dakota from Montana just west of Williston. The free-flowing river offers a good setting for sauger in the spring and fall. At the western reaches of the river in North Dakota, anglers find one of the better spots in the country to snag a giant paddlefish in late spring.

This stretch of the river is home to nationally renowned walleye fishing. Additionally, just south of Garrison Dam is an area known as the Tailrace. It is home to state records for Chinook salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout. Anglers can catch these fish within 20 miles downstream of the dam.

Enjoy These Spots When Boating in North Dakota

We hope this guide helps you enjoy the waters in North Dakota, whether you prefer to boat, kayak, or go fishing. 

Before you hit the water, make sure you know how to stay safe when you’re out there! BOATsmart! offers engaging and informative online boater education courses to help boaters stay safe while enjoying water adventures. 

Originally published in May 2019. Content most recently reviewed and updated for recency and accuracy September 27, 2024.