Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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North Dakota
State, United States. Authority : North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$108Nonresident Married Couple Season Fishing
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 121.9 cmMuskellunge
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearFish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm RulerTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 121.9 cm here.
€48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
Jointed 4-Section Lure 12.5 cm, SinkingFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€28.90£15.90Not shipped to the United States
Soft Paddle-Tail Shads 8 cm, Pack of 30For : european perch, zander, walleye · soft plastic lure fishing
€25.90£12.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Hook and line season open in all waters open to fishing year-round (April 1 - March 31 of each fishing year); some waters have specific closures
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–130 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge4 statewide, all waters | 121.9 cm | |
| Walleye and sauger4 only in specific waters (Buffalo Lake, Jamestown Reservoir, Pipestem Reservoir, Lake Elsie); no statewide minimum listed | 35.6 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 121.9 cm here. Fish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm Ruler €48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye (combined)4 statewide; possession 10 | 5 per day |
| Northern pike4 statewide; possession 10 | 5 per day |
| Largemouth/smallmouth bass (combined)4 statewide; possession 10 | 5 per day |
| Trout (brown, cutthroat, lake, rainbow, tiger; combined)4 statewide; possession 6 | 3 per day |
| Salmon4 statewide; possession 10 | 5 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing License (16+)2 | annual (April 1 - March 31) | US$27 |
| Resident Married Couple Fishing License2 | annual | US$42 |
| Resident Senior Citizen Fishing License (65+)2 | annual | US$10 |
| Resident Totally/Permanently Disabled Fishing License2 | annual | US$10 |
| Resident Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (required)2 | annual | US$2 |
| Nonresident Individual Season Fishing (16+)3 | annual | US$68 |
| Nonresident Married Couple Season Fishing3 | annual | US$108 |
| Nonresident 3 Day Fishing3 | 3-day | US$48 |
| Nonresident 10 Day Fishing3 | 10-day | US$58 |
| Nonresident Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (required, once per year)3 | annual | US$5 |
- Ages and exemptions1
- Residents under 16 may fish without a license; nonresidents under 16 may fish without a license if accompanied by a licensed adult (paddlefish tags always required). Resident seniors 65+ pay a reduced $10 license.
Good to know
Regulations are biennial (April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2028). Open-water and ice fishing open year-round statewide. No statewide minimum size for walleye, pike or bass; muskie minimum 48 in. Free fishing days June 6-7 and Dec 26-27. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate must accompany every license.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Pages de tarifs sans année explicite (tarifs considérés en vigueur pour la licence 2026-27)
- Pas de licence résidente journalière (1-day) ni non-résidente 1-day dans la grille officielle
- Pas de taille minimale statewide pour walleye/pike/bass
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Sakakawea reservoir
Walleye, Northern pike, Channel catfish, Common carp, Smallmouth bass, Burbot View on the map - Devils Lake lake
Northern pike, Walleye View on the map - Lake Oahe reservoir
Walleye, Channel catfish, Northern pike, Burbot, Smallmouth bass, Bluegill, Common carp, Largemouth bass View on the map - Missouri River river
Walleye, Channel catfish, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Burbot, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Bluegill, Common carp, Largemouth bass View on the map - Stump Lake lake, Nelson County
Walleye, Northern pike View on the map - Lake Audubon reservoir, McLean County
Walleye, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Common carp View on the map - Lake Darling reservoir, Renville County
Northern pike, Walleye, Smallmouth bass View on the map - Lake Ashtabula reservoir, Barnes County
Walleye, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Muskellunge, Bluegill View on the map - Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) reservoir, Grant County
Walleye, Channel catfish, Smallmouth bass, Bluegill, Northern pike, Common carp View on the map - Horsehead Lake lake, Kidder County
Northern pike, Walleye View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in North Dakota in 2026?
The “Nonresident Married Couple Season Fishing” licence costs US$108 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in North Dakota?
Muskellunge: 121.9 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- North Dakota Fishing License (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Resident Licenses and Requirements (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Nonresident Licenses and Requirements (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026-28 Fishing Regulations (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- gf.nd.gov/gnf/regulations/docs/fish/Fishing-Guide-2026-2028.pdf
Last checked : 23 September 2026.