Lake Sakakawea in 3-D at today's water level. Spot 1 (steep ledge) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Lake Sakakawea today
North Dakota · 435.1 sq mi · updated
Clear water, 47°F water, windy Friday (25 mph SE).
Where to stay near Lake Sakakawea
- Douglas Creek - COECampground · by the waterSee prices
- Hazen Bay Rec Area CampgroundCampground · by the waterSee prices
- Earth Lodge VillageCampground · by the waterSee prices
- McKenzie Bay Rec AreaCampground · by the waterSee prices
- Sakakawea MorelMotel · by the waterSee prices
- Lake Sakakawea SP - Fishing PointCampground · by the waterSee prices
Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Water temperature map
12 places to stay on the map. Tap one for prices, or see the list and map.
Surface water temperature, .
Where the fish are today
43% Fair chance for northern pike today · 8–20 ft deep
- Water 47°F on top, much colder than they like, so they move slowly and stay deep.
- Best water today is 8–20 ft deep, mostly on wind-blown banks.
- The lake is layered: warm water down to about 100 ft, cold below.
- Little oxygen below about 150 ft, so fish stay above it.
- Southeast wind at 25 mph pushes bait onto the northwest shore: try the wind-blown banks.
Best zone: wind-blown bank, about 2% of them, 6–20 ft deep (the fish on the map above).
See the fish in 3-D Every fish, every zone and the heat map: LakeScope PRO.
Fishing spots
- 1Steep ledge · about 30 ft deep today
A sharp wall beside deep water; fish hang along the edge at the depth they like.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Best fishing times
Friday Slow
- 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 25 mph
Saturday Slow
- 4:00 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 24 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
What's biting
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- SlowSmallmouth bass
Cold. Slow presentations on deep rock.
- SlowCatfish
Cold. Slow, in the deepest holes. Cut bait works best.
From the water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Water level
No fresh view yet. No gauge on this lake. A level trend from the shoreline starts after the next clear days.
Clarity and algae
Clear water No algae seen
Last clear view from above: . Clouds hid the lake on 2 recent passes.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Ice
Open water
Estimate from weather and satellite, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:52 am · sunset 5:13 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Recent catches
Shared by anglers in the LakeScope app. Spots are shown to about half a mile.
Get LakeScope on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts, the depth map and the 3-D view of Lake Sakakawea.
