LivewellNorth Dakota · Lake
Lake Sakakawea
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Sakakawea, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
North Dakota also has statewide guidance
North Dakota publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 75 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Lake Sakakawea below.
Strictest statewide rule: Black Crappie, Over 11" — Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Lake Sakakawea
Chinook Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Under 27" | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 25–28" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| 27–33" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 28" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Over 33" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 19" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Under 23" | Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Under 27" | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 19–22" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 22" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 23–29" | Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 27–36" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 29" | Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 36" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Sauger
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Under 17" | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 15–17" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| 17–18" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 17–20" | Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 17–24" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 18" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 17" | Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Under 18" | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Under 20" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 17–19" | Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 18–22" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 19–26" | Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 20–26" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 22" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 26" | Pregnant or breastfeeding women | For pregnant or breastfeeding women: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are North Dakota's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Largemouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Bass | — | 30 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Crappie | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chinook Salmon | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Brown Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Lake Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 48" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Lake Whitefish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: North Dakota — North Dakota Game & Fish
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.