Lake Sakakawea is the state-published answer to North Dakota’s deepest-lake question. A North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries map lists its maximum depth as 177 feet, with an average depth of 62 feet. Those numbers are tied to a stated normal pool elevation of 1,838 feet above mean sea level (MSL), so they describe a mapped reservoir condition rather than a continuously updated depth reading.
Why Lake Sakakawea is the answer
North Dakota contains both natural lakes and man-made reservoirs, and the state does not present every water body in one continuously updated depth-ranking table. The clearest official identification comes from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Lake Sakakawea overview map, produced for the 2009–10 Fisheries Division. That map labels Lake Sakakawea’s maximum depth at 177 feet.
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It also gives an average depth of 62 feet. The map identifies both depth figures with a normal pool elevation of 1,838 feet MSL. That qualification matters: a reservoir’s shoreline and water depth change as its pool rises and falls, so a map value at a defined elevation should not be treated as a live measurement taken at every location today.
What the published depth numbers actually tell you
Maximum depth is a single deepest point
“Maximum depth” is the greatest depth represented on the department’s map. It does not mean that most of the lake is close to that depth. A maximum value can occur in a former river channel, a submerged valley or another localized depression, while broad areas are substantially shallower.
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Average depth describes the lake more broadly
The same map’s 62-foot average is a statistical summary across the mapped basin. It is useful for understanding the lake as a whole, but it cannot tell you how deep a particular cove, ramp, shoreline or fishing spot will be.
Pool elevation is part of the measurement
MSL is an elevation reference, not a statement that the water surface is always at that height. When the reservoir operates above or below the stated normal pool, the depth at a fixed bottom location changes accordingly. A navigation chart, contour map or current gauge may therefore show conditions that differ from the older overview-map figure.
| Statistic or condition | Published information | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum depth | 177 feet | State map’s deepest mapped point |
| Average depth | 62 feet | Basin-wide summary, not a spot depth |
| Depth reference | Normal pool elevation of 1,838 feet MSL | Keep this elevation basis attached to the figures |
| Map vintage | 2009–10 Fisheries Division map | Useful official reference, but not a live survey |
Does this prove Lake Sakakawea is deeper than every other North Dakota lake?
It supports the state-published identification, but it is important to describe the evidence precisely. North Dakota Game and Fish’s lake overview recognizes 337 public lakes and reservoirs, citing a 2023 recognition by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. The inventory includes 151 man-made reservoirs and 186 natural lakes. Depth data are not necessarily collected, dated or displayed in one identical format for every one of those waters.
The department’s mapping services include a “Lake Maximum Depth” layer, and its contour mapping provides depth information for individual waters such as Devils Lake. However, an inspectable, current statewide table comparing the maximum depth of every named lake was not available with the published material. The most defensible wording is therefore: Lake Sakakawea is identified by North Dakota Game and Fish as the state’s deepest lake, with a mapped maximum of 177 feet at the stated pool basis. That wording does not claim a new statewide recalculation.
How to interpret a reservoir depth figure
Readers often compare a reservoir’s maximum depth with a lake depth taken from a different survey, but those figures may not be directly comparable. First check whether each number is a maximum or an average. Next check the water-surface or pool elevation used to build the contours. Finally, note the publication date and whether the source is an official state map, a navigation chart or a commercial product.
At Lake Sakakawea, 1,838 feet MSL is the normal-pool basis attached to the 177-foot maximum and 62-foot average. The overview map also gives surface-area and volume information on a separate maximum-pool basis. Those statistics should not be combined as if they all describe the same elevation. A reader comparing maps should keep each number with the elevation note printed for that statistic.
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This distinction is especially important for trip planning. A map can remain valuable for showing the reservoir’s overall shape and major contours even when the present water level differs from the map’s reference condition. For a current shoreline, ramp or navigation decision, use the latest department information and applicable local notices.
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Why Lake Sakakawea’s depth matters
Cold-water habitat
Game and Fish describes the lake’s size and depth as creating significant cold-water habitat. In practical terms, deeper water can retain cooler conditions than shallow flats, especially during warm weather. Those conditions help the department support a salmon management program and associated fishery.
Fish location and seasonal patterns
Depth is one clue among several when anglers decide where to search. Fish may use deep water, contour breaks, submerged channels, points, tributary areas or shallower feeding zones depending on season, temperature, wind and forage. A maximum-depth label alone does not identify a productive fishing spot.
The state’s fishing-water search is useful for moving from a general depth question to a practical plan. It can provide species information, stocking details, directions, boat ramps, shore access and facilities. Mapping-service layers also identify fish stocking, fishing facilities and lake maximum-depth information, allowing anglers to combine depth with access and fishery details rather than relying on one number.
Boating and navigation
Depth contours can help boaters understand basin shape, but the deepest point is not automatically the safest route. Water levels, submerged hazards, wind-driven waves, marked channels and local restrictions matter more to immediate navigation. Use current navigation information and observe posted warnings rather than relying solely on an older overview map.
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How to find reliable depth and access information
North Dakota Game and Fish provides fishing-water search and mapping resources that can show species, stocking information, directions, boat ramps, shore access and facilities. Its map-service metadata identifies layers for fish stocking, fishing facilities and lake maximum depth.
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- Open the department’s fishing-water search. Select Lake Sakakawea by name rather than relying on a general web-map label.
- Check the water-body profile. Review listed species, stocking information, directions and access notes before choosing a destination.
- Turn on map layers. Look for maximum-depth information, facilities, ramps and shore-access layers where available.
- Separate depth from operating information. A contour layer may be older than a current ramp closure, regulation notice or water-level report.
- Confirm conditions close to departure. Verify access, facilities, seasonal restrictions and fishing regulations on the department’s current pages.
For Devils Lake or another North Dakota water, use that lake’s own contour or maximum-depth information. Do not transfer Lake Sakakawea’s pool elevation, contours or depth figures to a different lake.
Planning a visit to Lake Sakakawea State Park
Lake Sakakawea State Park provides a practical base for experiencing the reservoir. The official park description includes camping, a swim beach, hiking, boating, marina services, a convenience store, a fish-cleaning station and boat ramps, along with fishing access.
Facilities and opening schedules can change with season, weather, staffing, maintenance or water conditions. Before traveling, check the park’s live official page for current operating details, reservations, ramp status and any notices. Treat the facilities list as a planning guide, not a guarantee that every service is open on the day you arrive.
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- Confirm the park’s current hours, camping availability and marina status.
- Check whether the intended boat ramp or shoreline access is open and suitable for your equipment.
- Review the latest fishing regulations, licenses and species-specific rules.
- Bring a current map or chart; keep the older state overview map for general basin context.
- Prepare for changing wind and wave conditions on a large reservoir.
- Use the fish-cleaning station and dispose of waste according to posted requirements.
How to choose a Lake Sakakawea map
If you buy or download a fishing map, compare the map’s specifications instead of assuming every product shows the same information. A useful map should make its measurement basis clear.
- Water-level basis: Look for a stated pool elevation or a note explaining how contours were established.
- Metric type: Confirm whether a number is maximum depth, average depth or a contour interval.
- Publication date: An older fisheries map may remain valuable, but it should not be mistaken for a recent survey.
- Coverage: Check whether the map includes only the main basin or also arms, bays, access roads and tributaries.
- Field usefulness: Prioritize readable contour lines, boat ramps, shore access, hazards and coordinate information.
A printed or digital Lake Sakakawea fishing map can be a useful planning aid, but product quality varies. Confirm that any commercial map clearly states its source, date and elevation basis, and do not assume state endorsement of a private product. The department’s published map is an authoritative reference for the stated figures, but no map eliminates the need to account for current water levels and local conditions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common misunderstandings about the “deepest lake” question
“Deepest” does not always mean natural lake
Lake Sakakawea is a reservoir, and North Dakota’s public-water inventory includes both reservoirs and natural lakes. Unless a question specifically limits the comparison to natural lakes, the ordinary statewide wording includes both categories.
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A map figure is not a real-time depth reading
The 2009–10 map is a dated publication with a stated normal-pool reference. It remains the direct official source for the quoted figure, but current water levels can change the depth over the bottom at any location.
Surface area and volume may use a different elevation basis
The overview map reports surface area and volume on a separate maximum-pool basis. Do not combine those values with the depth figures as though all were measured at 1,838 feet MSL. Each statistic must be read with the elevation basis assigned to it on the map.
The deepest point is not necessarily the best fishing location
Species, temperature, forage, weather, structure, access and regulations all influence fishing success. Use depth as one layer in a broader plan rather than as a promise of catches.
Questions readers commonly ask
The most useful answer to a depth question includes the number, its measurement basis and a way to verify current conditions. These quick answers summarize the practical distinctions.
Bottom line for visitors and anglers
Lake Sakakawea is North Dakota’s state-published deepest lake, according to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries map that lists a 177-foot maximum depth and a 62-foot average at a normal pool elevation of 1,838 feet MSL. Because the map dates from 2009–10 and reservoir levels fluctuate, use the figure as an official reference point, then check current maps, water levels, access information and regulations before going on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep is Lake Sakakawea?
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2009–10 Fisheries Division map lists a maximum depth of 177 feet and an average depth of 62 feet. Both figures are tied to a normal pool elevation of 1,838 feet MSL.
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Is Lake Sakakawea officially North Dakota’s deepest lake?
It is the lake identified by North Dakota Game and Fish for the statewide deepest-lake answer. Because the state does not publish one current, uniform depth table for every named water, describe this as the department’s published identification rather than a new independent ranking.
Does the 177-foot depth stay the same all year?
No. Lake Sakakawea is a reservoir, so water level and depth at a fixed bottom location change as the pool rises or falls. The 177-foot figure is a mapped value at the stated normal-pool elevation, not a live reading.
Where can I find current Lake Sakakawea fishing and access information?
Use North Dakota Game and Fish’s fishing-water search and mapping resources. They can show species, stocking information, directions, boat ramps, shore access and facilities. Check the current pages before departure for closures, seasonal details and regulations.
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The official park description includes camping, a swim beach, hiking, boating, marina services, a convenience store, a fish-cleaning station, boat ramps and fishing access. Operating details can change, so verify the live park page before traveling.
The Bottom Line
North Dakota Game and Fish lists Lake Sakakawea at 177 feet maximum depth and 62 feet average depth at a normal pool elevation of 1,838 feet MSL. The 2009–10 map is an official reference, not a real-time survey; check current maps, water levels, access and regulations before visiting.
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