What is the biggest lake in North Dakota?

Lake Sakakawea, at 307,000 acres.

What is the second biggest lake in North Dakota?

Devils Lake, at about 84,800 acres.

Biggest lakes in North Dakota: the top 10 by size

The ten largest lakes in North Dakota, biggest first.

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

#	Lake	Size	Shoreline
1	Lake Sakakawea	307,000 acres	about 1320 mi
2	Devils Lake	about 84,800 acres
3	Lake Audubon	16,600 acres	about 73 mi
4	Stump Lake	15,700 acres	about 33 mi
5	Long Lake	about 14,900 acres	about 45 mi
6	Horsehead Lake	10,100 acres	about 21 mi
7	Lake Darling	9,430 acres	about 29 mi
8	Alkaline Lake	5,380 acres	about 18.1 mi
9	Lake Ashtabula	5,170 acres	about 54 mi
10	Dry Lake	about 4,420 acres	about 19 mi

1. Lake Sakakawea

Lake Sakakawea covers some 307,000 acres. Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 180 ft.

Lake Sakakawea today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Devils Lake

Devils Lake spreads over about 84,800 acres. The fish here are walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and white bass. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Devils Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Audubon

Lake Audubon covers 16,600 acres. It lies about 54 miles south of Bismarck. It is the Missouri River (via Lake Sakakawea / Snake Creek Pumping Plant) behind Snake Creek embankment. Expect walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie and northern pike. The deepest water is around 60 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Audubon is a sub-impoundment separated from the much larger Lake Sakakawea by an embankment, and is filled by pumping water from Sakakawea.

Lake Audubon today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Stump Lake

Stump Lake is a natural lake of 15,700 acres. You will find it about 59 miles east of Grand Forks. Walleye, yellow perch and northern pike are the draw. The deepest water is around 73 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Stump Lake rose dramatically in the late 20th century and now connects by spillway into the Devils Lake basin.

Stump Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Long Lake

At about 14,900 acres, Long Lake is a big lake. The lake is within an easy drive of Bismarck (about 28 miles). It holds northern pike and yellow perch. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a steep ledge: good places to start.

Long Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Horsehead Lake

Horsehead Lake spreads over 10,100 acres. The lake is near Steele. It holds northern pike and walleye. At about 22 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. Horsehead Lake is a natural prairie lake in Kidder County managed for abundant northern pike and walleye.

Horsehead Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Darling

At 9,430 acres, Lake Darling is a good-sized lake. The lake is near Minot Air Force Base. Lake Darling Dam holds it on the Souris River. The fish here are walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 29 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Darling is impounded on the Souris River by an earthen dam built in 1936 within Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge.

Lake Darling today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Alkaline Lake

Alkaline Lake spreads over 5,380 acres of water. You will find it about 57 miles west of Bismarck. It holds walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 18 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Despite its name, Alkaline Lake in Kidder County is regularly stocked and supports a walleye fishery.

Alkaline Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Ashtabula

Lake Ashtabula spreads over 5,170 acres. The lake is about 59 miles east of Fargo. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 45 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Ashtabula stretches 27 miles along the Sheyenne River behind Baldhill Dam, completed by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1950.

Lake Ashtabula today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Dry Lake

Dry Lake spreads over about 4,420 acres. The lake is near Devils Lake. The usual North Dakota mix applies: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and yellow perch.

Dry Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.