Lakes close to Fargo?

[busse3775]

I attend school at NDSU and was wondering if anyone knew of some decent fishing lakes within a half hour or so of Fargo? I have a snowmobile and a portable so getting around is not a problem but would like to find a couple fishing lakes a little closer to Fargo. I always go to Ottertail in Mn or out to Devils Lake so I burn through a little more gas. Any ideas is much appreciated!

[Rooster7]

The closest one you could try would be Silver. 3 miles south of Hawley on Hwy 31. Or if you went through Hawley on Hwy 10 and continue 2 miles east you will come to Hwy 32. Take a right and go a mile or so south and you will find Lee lake.

[Fred_Bear]

I live in Fargo as well and my advice is get used to driving.

Half hour or less you have no options other than the Red River, people do ice fish it. Just over a half hour gets you to a few lakes south of Hawley but honestly I wouldn't waste my time there.

45 minutes will get you a lot of lakes in the area south of Lake Park, you have the Cormorant chain and a lot of lakes around it.

An hour drive gives you lots of options... The lakes on the pelican river (Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Pelican, Lizzie, Lida, and many smaller lakes in the area). You can also go south or west and get to the Hankinson and Valley City area lakes in just over an hour.

Living in Fargo really does give you a lot of options, you just need to be willing to drive an hour back and forth for a day trip. You're in college and have plenty of time so go explore... It's worth it.

[busse3775]

Thanks for the advice! My plan was to go try fishing some of the lakes close to Pelican Rapids and see how they are otherwise I'll drive a little further and go to Ottertail or West Battle, which are two lakes I fish quite a bit.

[marine_man]

You can also head west.. Ashtabula, Jamestown Reservoir, Brewer lake north of Casselton....

marine_man

[Fred_Bear]

Are you looking for panfish or walleyes/perch? Ottertail is going to be more consistent for numbers of walleyes than what you'll find from the areas I mentioned. I fish panfish in the areas I mentioned but I know of a few lakes that produce walleyes as well, just not going to be as consistent as Ottertail for numbers.

[bbfenatic]

Lida is probably your best bet for multi species, good for walleyes and crappies but slot limits on both. Lots of structure and with a sled you can get away from the crowds (which there are a plenty of crowds as you will see the villages). Franklin just down the way from Lida is good and then just over the hill from Lida is Star...may be the best producing under fished lake in the Pelican Rapids area...big water like Lida and lots of structure for eyes and deep basins for crappies...big crappies.

[busse3775]

Thanks for the info bbfenatic! I have speared with a buddy on Star lake before so I may have to try and give that a shot! Also, I am mainly looking for walleyes, perch, and crappies.

[Savage Brewer]

I lived in Fargo for about 13 years.

Get used to driving an hour each way.

30 min from Fargo you only have a couple options, go out 60 minutes and you have at least a hundred lakes to choose from.

[bowhuntermitch]

I grew up in Hawley, and now reside in Lake Park and most of these guys hit the nail on the head. Silver Lake does have a few fish in it, but it is a pretty gross lake and tricky to get on with it being spring fed right off the access.

Lee lake just had the access opened back up this past year, so there has been alot of fishermen/houses out there all year. Good road, (before yesterday with all the blowing - havent been out since). Be prepared to catch ALOT of 5" perch with the occasional 10"-12" perch mixed in. Crappies, gills, pike and bass have also been caught. Walleyes are out there (seen them on camera) but havent had any luck getting them to bite.

Labelle by Lake Park is about the same. I havent expanded my horizons past these two lakes this winter because they are so convenient for me, but I would recommend buying the Navionics app for smart phone and taking a peek at Lida and Melissa.

[busse3775]

Yeah I have had Navionics for comp and years now and have been searching on that quite a bit!

[pikerliker]

I watched an In depth outdoors episode this year where they were fishing some shallow slews just West of Fargo and were hammering the big perch. They didn't name exactly where they were but said that there are several of these slews that you can do pretty well at if you do some searching.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

I watched an In depth outdoors episode this year where they were fishing some shallow slews just West of Fargo and were hammering the big perch. They didn't name exactly where they were but said that there are several of these slews that you can do pretty well at if you do some searching.

"just west" was about 60-85 miles west in regards to that episode.