Two yellow perch caught while fishing through the ice

Ice fishing for walleye, perch, and northern pike on waterfowl production areas and other lakes in the District is a popular winter pastime. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department actively stocks many less permanent wetlands that are experiencing high water levels. Productivity in these waters is high and growth rates of fish are often phenomenal. The winter "bite" can often be unpredictable and vary by lake and year in these smaller waterbodies. There are no winter facilities for anglers on WPAs, and vehicle access to the lake must be from a designated road or right-of-way. Ice fishing is allowed in accordance with North Dakota State Game and Fish Department regulations. Please see our regulations page for general regulations and guidance on fish houses and equipment removal. 

Laws, rules, and regulations