Hunting & Fishing in North Dakota
North Dakota is a Northern Plains powerhouse for waterfowl and upland birds, sitting squarely in the prairie pothole region that produces a huge share of the continent's ducks. Hunting guides in North Dakota run field hunts for mallards, Canada geese, and the spectacular spring snow goose migration, plus pheasant and sharp-tailed grouse across the grasslands. The Badlands of the west add mule deer, pronghorn, and elk hunting.
Fishing in North Dakota is anchored by big water. Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake are among the best walleye fisheries in the country, drawing guides and anglers from across the region, while the Missouri River system adds salmon, northern pike, and bass. With abundant public land, a generous walk-in access program, and accessible tags, North Dakota is one of the most welcoming states for traveling hunters and anglers.
Top Hunting & Fishing Regions
Prairie Pothole Region
The wetland-dotted grasslands of central North Dakota are a continental duck factory and a premier guided waterfowl-hunting destination.
Devils Lake
A sprawling natural lake renowned for its walleye and northern pike fishing, with a deep bench of guides and year-round access.
Lake Sakakawea
A massive Missouri River reservoir producing trophy walleye, salmon, and pike across hundreds of miles of shoreline.
Badlands
The rugged buttes and breaks of the west hold mule deer, pronghorn, and elk hunting in dramatic public-land country.
Tips for Hunting in North Dakota
- ✓Hunt the prairie potholes for ducks in October, when migrating mallards stack up before freeze-up.
- ✓Use North Dakota's Private Land Open To Sportsmen program, which opens large tracts of private ground to public hunting.
- ✓Fish Devils Lake for walleye through summer and into the ice season, as it produces year-round.
- ✓Check North Dakota Game and Fish rules and apply early for limited deer and pronghorn licenses in popular units.
Did you know? North Dakota's prairie pothole region produces a disproportionate share of North America's ducks, earning it the nickname the duck factory.
Application Deadlines
Events & Expos
North Dakota Hunter Education Course
Required for those born after 1961. Hybrid online/in-person option available through ND Game and Fish.
North Dakota Boater Safety Course
Required for youth ages 12-15. Free home-study course available through ND Game and Fish.
Species in North Dakota
Top-Rated in North Dakota
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Open Country Lodge
Spiritwood, North Dakota
HERBEL PHEASANT HUNTING
Bucyrus, North Dakota
Dakota Sportsman’s Lodge
Medina, North Dakota
Standing Rock Game & Fish
Fort Yates, North Dakota
Schorsch Farm Kpheasanthunting
New England, North Dakota
Honker Down Guide Service
McHenry, North Dakota
All Hunting & Fishing Listings in North Dakota
67 guides, outfitters, charters, and outdoor businesses across North Dakota.
Guide & Outfitter listings in North Dakota (41)
- Addicted guide service — Minot
- Baldhill Creek Adventures — Luverne
- Big Muddy Guide Service — Bismarck
- Border View Elk Ranch — Hansboro
- Brinkman Hunting Getaways — Carson
- Bry's Guide Service — Devils Lake
- Dakota Daves Guide Service LLC — Minot
- Dakota Hunt LLC — Fort Ransom
- Dakota Ritz — Robinson
- Dakota Whitetail Outfitting — Willow City
- Dirty Bird Outfitters — Fargo
- Fishing ND Guide Service — Mandan
- Freddy’s Flyers — Pingree
- Haybale Heights Campground and Resort — Devils Lake
- HERBEL PHEASANT HUNTING — Bucyrus
- K&M Bison Lodge & Outfitters — New Rockford
- Kysar Farms Waterfowl and Wildlife Management — Regent
- McQuoid Outdoors And Lodging — Minnewaukan
- Mike Peluso Outdoors — Bismarck
- Mouse River Outfitters — Kramer
- NORTH ANTLER HUNTING COMPANY, LLC — Fordville
- North Cedar Creek Bed & Breakfast — Scranton
- North Dakota Game and Fish Headquarters — Bismarck
- North Dakota Territory — Bowdon
- North Dakota Wildlife Federation
- NORTHERN FLIGHT GUIDE SERVICE — Devils Lake
- Perch Eyes Guide Service & Lodging — Minnewaukan
- Phalanx Outfitters — Streeter
- Rolling Plains Adventures — McKenzie
- rudlands guide service — Beulah
- Rush Valley Guide Service and Lodging — Devils Lake
- SAKAKAWEA FISHING ADVENTURES — Dickinson
- Sandy Oaks Lodge — Towner
- Schorsch Farm Kpheasanthunting — New England
- SG Outfitters — Fort Ransom
- Spring Lake Outfitters, LLC — Towner
Retailer listings in North Dakota (12)
- Big Boy's Toys — Watford City
- Brothers Firearm Shop — Grand Forks
- Dakota Rifle Co. — Dickinson
- Downrange — Carrington
- EZ Arms LLC — Minot
- Fargo Arms Company — Fargo
- Helmers Hunting Products — Kenmare
- HH Gun Shop — Bismarck
- Personal Defense Center — Bismarck
- Prepper Gun Shop — Grand Forks
- Shooters Armory — Bismarck
- Spooner Firearm Co. — Fargo
Accommodation listings in North Dakota (3)
- Central Dakota Lodge - Pheasant Hunting North Dakota — Goodrich
- Dakota Sportsman’s Lodge — Medina
- Open Country Lodge — Spiritwood
Taxidermy listings in North Dakota (3)
- Dakota Skulls — Minot
- Das Schlacht Haus — Arthur
- Dutch Valley Meats — Arthur
Boats & Vehicles listings in North Dakota (2)
- Indian Hills Resort — Garrison
- Open Water Marine — Mandan
Gun Dog Trainer listings in North Dakota (2)
- Petopia — Grand Forks
- Sheyenne River Kennels — West Fargo
Fishing Charter listings in North Dakota (1)
- Honker Down Guide Service — McHenry
Shooting Range listings in North Dakota (1)
- Red River Range — West Fargo
Education listings in North Dakota (1)
- Ricochet Gun Works — Napoleon
Game Processor listings in North Dakota (1)
- The Butchers (Hakatzavim) — Briarwood
Preparing for a North Dakota Hunt?
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