Lake Sakakawea Fishing Reports

Our goal is for at least weekly updates and/or any time there are major shifts in the bite and fish movement patterns. We also look to include not only first-hand information from our catches in the boat but also other local information we here about catches in and around the area, water temperature updates, and anything else we hear or see that is relevant to the fishing conditions in our areas. Fill out the contact subscribe form below, and new fishing reports will be delivered straight to your inbox.

Sakakawea Preview 2026

As we shake off the winter of 2026, it’s time to look at the data and see what’s in store for the "Big Lake" this season. Water Levels & Access Current elevation is sitting at 1,827 , which is a bit of a throwback to the spring of 2023 when we dipped down to 1,823. What this means for you: Ramp access will be the primary hurdle early on. Some of the ramps I typically rely on won’t be accessible until we get some runoff. The good news? The mountain snowpack is currently 80–90

Sakakawea - August 9

Every year seems to be a unique beast on Sakakawea, and this August, 2025's story seems to be developing. The first week plus of the...

Sakakawea - July 6

For those who like to say "the lake is on fire," that term would be fair now. When you find fish, they are flat out biting. Bottom...

Sakakawea - June 9

The post-spawn bite is in full swing now in many areas of the lake. We've been focusing on the bay bite for the last couple weeks, which...

Sakakawea - May 22

Here's the headline: migratory fish movements ahead of schedule, lower lake bay bites still on hold due to cold weather. But the sun is...

Sakakawea Preview 2025

Per usual, we'll start off with water levels, which are good enough to avoid any worry. Current elevation is 1,832 (18 feet below full...

Sakakawea - August 5

Going back to my post in June, the seasonal progressions of the lake have pretty much remained behind schedule almost all year. We did...

Sakakawea - June 16

This lake is nothing if not an education in change. As bizarre as last year was, this year is the same thing in a different direction. To...

Sakakawea - May 18

While New Town has been going strong post-spawn for a while, other places really perked up here this week. As of writing, there should be...

Sakakawea Preview 2024

First off, water levels are starting off much better this year. We are sitting at 1835 feet elevation, which is about ten feet above last...

Sakakawea - October 8

Update required...I normally don't post twice this close together, but my website says "or any time there are major shifts in the bite,"...

Sakakawea - October 4

Things are happening, but they are taking place deeper than most people would like them to, and perhaps a little less consistently as...

Sakakawea - August 5

Getting back to normal would be my theme for early August. After my last post late June, we were still running way ahead of schedule....

Sakakawea - June 27

I normally write three or four fishing reports before things change as much as they have since the last one, but it's been a wild season....

Sakakawea - June 6

It's hot...in more ways than one! The month of May in Garrison was four degrees above average, and the last eleven days of the month were...

Sakakawea & Missouri River - May 12

The bite finally got going in the last week or ten days on the Missouri river near Bismarck, and the post-spawn bite should be just...

Sakakawea Spring Preview - 2023

Even though spring seems a long way from the shores of Lake Sakakawea right now, it's all I can think about! My goal, per usual, is to be...

Sakakawea - 2022 Wrap-up

One of the best seasons of fishing I've been a part of at lake Sakakawea is officially over. The number of 17-21 inch walleyes caught...

September 26

It's technically fall now, and though it's not a "post-turnover" bite, the fishing has really picked up the last week already. Water...

Sakakawea - Aug 4

The shallow summer bite had a good run with the rising water levels and mild temperatures, but it appears to be over. The bite is still...