Ice fishing in North Dakota: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

1. Lake Sakakawea

Lake Sakakawea spreads over some 307,000 acres. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 180 ft. The lake bed gives you two sheltered coves and a wind-blown bank to work. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

2. Devils Lake

Devils Lake spreads over about 84,800 acres. Expect walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and white bass. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

3. Lake Audubon

Lake Audubon spreads over some 16,600 acres. It lies about 54 miles south of Bismarck. Snake Creek embankment holds it on the Missouri River (via Lake Sakakawea / Snake Creek Pumping Plant). Expect walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and muskie. At about 60 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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. It lies about 59 miles east of Grand Forks. Expect walleye, yellow perch and northern pike. At about 73 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. 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. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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). The fish here are 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 is a shallow, roughly 18-mile-long saline basin within Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a designated Globally Important Bird Area. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

6. Horsehead Lake

At some 10,100 acres, Horsehead Lake is a big lake. You will find it about 11 miles southwest of Steele. It holds northern pike and walleye. The deepest water is around 22 ft. 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. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

7. Lake Darling

Lake Darling is a reservoir of 9,430 acres. The lake is near Minot Air Force Base. Expect walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 29 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

8. Alkaline Lake

Alkaline Lake spreads over some 5,380 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Bismarck (about 57 miles). Expect walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 18 ft. Despite its name, Alkaline Lake in Kidder County is regularly stocked and supports a walleye fishery. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

9. Lake Ashtabula

At some 5,170 acres, Lake Ashtabula is a good-sized lake. It lies about 59 miles east of Fargo. Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and crappie. At about 45 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Ashtabula stretches 27 miles along the Sheyenne River behind Baldhill Dam, completed by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1950. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

10. Lake Alice

At about 3,400 acres, Lake Alice is a good-sized lake. The lake is near Cando. It holds northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and white bass. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Lake Alice lies within Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge in Ramsey County and is open to ice fishing under refuge-specific hours. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

What to bring

• Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
• A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
• A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
• A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
• Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie