When you want to unplug from technology and reconnect with the natural world, the area surrounding Northwood, North Dakota, is an extraordinary fishing destination. Explore these five fishing spots you can access in the Northwood, Grand Forks, and Goose River regions, and learn more about the types of fish you can catch, with this guide from Rydell Honda of Grand Forks.
1. Devils Lake
Devils Lake, North Dakota, is an attractive destination any fishing enthusiast can appreciate. At more than 180,000 acres, Devils Lake can seem intimidating, but don’t let its immense size overwhelm you. Regardless of how much familiarity you have with the lake, you can find a fishing spot to suit your interests.
Ice fishing, in particular, is a popular wintertime pursuit on Devils Lake. According to the North Dakota Tourism Division, Devils Lake adds ice early and sheds its ice late. In general, ice on the lake is safe enough to support ice fishing from mid-December to late March. It’s not unusual to experience about 60 inches in a good season.
Devils Lake supports an abundant population of pike, walleye, and trophy-size perch. The perch are so plentiful and hefty for their size in Devils Lake that the body of water carries the reputation of being the perch capital of the world.
Writing for the North Dakota Tourism Division, angler Mike Jensen said, “One thing you notice after you’ve gotten a few fish on Devils Lake is how healthy and fat the fish are. Large populations of freshwater shrimp accelerate the growth of perch and provide trickle-down forage for larger game fish.” On occasion, Jensen noted, anglers can also score some white bass.
During the spring, the month of May on Devils Lake means that the pike and walleye are biting. It’s time to grab your gear and head out on the lake.
Location: Accessible from North Dakota Highway 19
Contact: Devils Lake Tourism
Telephone: 701-662-4957
2. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Established in 1907, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is the oldest state park in North Dakota. The hills surrounding the park support a scenic trail system that treats visitors to unforgettable views of the Heart and Missouri river bottoms. These rivers give anglers access to shorelines where they can pursue the fish they wish.
Catfish, northern pike, and walleye are among the fish species one can find in the Heart and Missouri rivers. Since the park, conveniently located close to Bismarck and Mandan, is open to visitors throughout the year, don’t overlook this setting during the winter months. The state park is a popular setting for ice fishing. Anglers will also appreciate the convenience of an on-site fish-cleaning station.
Location: 4480 Fort Lincoln Road, Mandan
Administrator: North Dakota Parks and Recreation
Telephone: 701-667-6340
3. Goose River
Located approximately 10.4 miles from Hillsboro in Traill County, the Goose River is an attractive North Dakota fishing destination for anglers looking for places to drop their lines. This 179-mile tributary of the Red River of the North is part of the Hudson Bay watershed region, which includes the Red River, Lake Winnipeg, and the Nelson River.
Channel catfish, northern pike, and walleye are among some of the fish species abundant in the Goose River. Catfish can grow to extraordinary sizes that are the envy of any angler’s eye. In 2016, a Hillsboro father and son fishing duo caught a 33-inch catfish while fishing the Goose River.
Location: Between Route 200 and U.S. Interstate 29
4. Lake Tobiason
Located in Steele County, Lake Tobiason also makes an appealing destination for avid anglers. Lake Tobiason is an approximately 18-mile drive northwest of Mayville and slightly south of Northwood.
At 53 acres in size and 14 feet at its deepest point, Lake Tobiason offers access to various fish species, including bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, and white crappie. Northern pike remains one of the most popular and plentiful fish species you can find present in Lake Tobiason.
Location: Off 16th Street NE, adjacent to the Farmers Union Recreation Area in Steele County
5. Turtle River State Park
The Turtle River, a tributary of the Red River of the North in northeastern North Dakota, is approximately 75 miles long. Located along the Turtle River, Turtle River State Park calls its home in a wooded valley near Arvilla. More than 10 miles of hiking trails meander through the forested hills and along the Turtle River in the park. You’ll find the park located about 22 miles west of Grand Forks.
The trout-stocked Turtle River offers plenty of opportunities for anglers seeking rainbow trout. According to an article originally published in the Grand Forks Herald, rainbow trout are not native fish species to the Turtle River. In the late 1990s, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department started to stock Shasta-strain rainbow trout in the Turtle River. Since the Turtle River is too shallow to support a trout population in the river throughout the year, the department stocks the body of water with rainbow trout of a catchable size two or three times in the spring and again as fall approaches.
The availability of trout in the Turtle River appeals to individuals of all ages and levels, from recreational anglers to serious fly-fishing enthusiasts who actively test the pools looking for telltale signs that trout are present.
In addition to trout, the Turtle River also supports a healthy population of northern pike that anglers in the northeastern North Dakota region prize.
Location: 3084 Park Ave. NE, Arvilla
Administrator: North Dakota Parks and Recreation
Telephone: 701-795-3180
Contact Rydell Honda of Grand Forks
Now that you’ve had the opportunity to learn more about some of the distinctive fishing spots you can access in the Northwood, North Dakota, area, it’s time to grab your fishing gear and head for the road. At Rydell Honda of Grand Forks, we’re always eager to head out for a day of fishing. Do you have a fishing spot that we didn’t include in this review? If so, let us know. Contact us online, or give us a call. We’ll be sure to add it to our list.
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