Buyer Guide
Fishing Boat Guide.
From walleye rigs to bass boats, here is everything you need to know to choose the right fishing boat for North Dakota waters.
Types of Fishing Boats
Find Your Style
Each type of fishing boat is designed for specific conditions and techniques. Here are the four main categories you will encounter.
Bass Boats
Best for: Competitive anglers and dedicated bass fishers
Low-profile, fast, and built for tournament-style bass fishing. Features a wide casting deck, large livewells, and high-horsepower outboards. Bass boats typically run 17 to 21 feet with 150-250 HP engines.
Less common in ND, but excellent for southern reservoirs and warm-water species.
Walleye / Multi-Species Boats
Best for: Walleye, pike, perch, and multi-species anglers on large ND lakes
The most popular fishing boat in North Dakota. Deep-V hulls handle rough water on big lakes, while versatile layouts accommodate multiple fishing styles. Typically 17 to 21 feet with 150-250 HP outboards.
Lund is the gold standard — their Pro-V, Rebel, Adventurer, and Impact models are built for exactly this kind of fishing.
Jon Boats / Utility Boats
Best for: Duck hunters, river anglers, and budget-conscious first-time buyers
Flat-bottomed aluminum boats designed for shallow water, rivers, and small lakes. Simple, durable, and affordable. Typically 12 to 18 feet with tiller-steer outboards from 15 to 60 HP.
Perfect for small ND rivers and sloughs where a larger boat cannot go.
Fish & Ski / Crossover
Best for: Families who fish but also want to tube, ski, or cruise
Combines fishing features (livewells, rod storage) with a ski pylon or watersports tower. A great compromise for families who want to fish and play on the same boat. Typically 18 to 22 feet.
Lund Crossover XS series is a standout in this category — genuine fishing boat that converts for family fun.
Must-Have Features
These are the features that separate a fishing boat from a boat you happen to fish from.
Livewells
Aerated tanks that keep bait and caught fish alive. Look for recirculating systems with timers and adjustable flow. Walleye boats typically have bow and stern livewells.
Rod Storage
Enclosed rod lockers protect expensive rods during transit. A 17-foot boat should hold 6-8 rods; larger boats often accommodate 10+. Look for locking systems and padded dividers.
Trolling Motor
Essential for precise boat control when fishing. Bow-mount trolling motors with GPS spot-lock (like Minn Kota Ultrex or Lowrance Ghost) let you hold position hands-free in wind and current.
Fish Finder / Sonar
Modern fish finders combine GPS mapping, side-imaging, and down-imaging sonar. Brands like Lowrance, Humminbird, and Garmin integrate with trolling motors for automated route following.
Storage
Proper storage throughout your boat allow you to pack your essentials and fishing gear for full day on the water. Make sure the boat that you are considering matches your storage needs.
Rough-Water Hull
A deep-V hull with a sharp entry and wide beam handles North Dakota's big-water chop. Lund's IPS hull design is specifically engineered for rough conditions and provides a drier, smoother ride.
Where to Fish
North Dakota's Top Fisheries
North Dakota is home to some of the best freshwater fishing in the country. Your home lake should influence which boat and engine you choose.
Lake Sakakawea
North Dakota's largest reservoir at 178 miles long. World-class walleye, smallmouth bass, chinook salmon, and northern pike. Big, open water that can get rough quickly — a capable deep-V boat is essential.
Key species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Chinook Salmon
Devils Lake
Consistently ranked among the top perch and walleye fisheries in North America. The lake has grown dramatically over recent decades, creating thousands of acres of flooded timber and shallow structure.
Key species: Walleye, Perch, White Bass, Northern Pike
Lake Oahe
Stretches from central South Dakota into southern North Dakota. Excellent walleye and smallmouth bass fishing with less fishing pressure than Sakakawea. Launch access from several ND ramps.
Key species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Catfish
Lake Darling / Upper Souris
A scenic, smaller lake near Minot within the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge. Good for pike, perch, and walleye. A great option for anglers in the Minot area who want to fish close to home.
Key species: Northern Pike, Perch, Walleye
Engine Sizing
How Much Horsepower Do You Need?
15-60 HP
Jon boats, small utility boats
Rivers, small lakes, shallow water
75-115 HP
Smaller fishing boats (16-18 ft)
Moderate lakes, shorter runs
150-200 HP
Mid-size walleye/multi-species (18-20 ft)
Most ND lakes including Sakakawea
225-300 HP
Full-size tournament boats (20-22 ft)
Big water, long runs, heavy loads
Featured Brand
Lund at Vallely
Vallely has carried Lund boats since the very beginning — it was one of our first marine brands in 1976. Lund builds some of the toughest aluminum fishing boats in the industry, and their IPS (Integrated Power Strake) hull is designed specifically for the big, rough freshwater lakes found across the Northern Plains.
Popular Lund models for ND anglers include the Pro-V (tournament-ready walleye), Rebel XS (versatile multi-species), Crossover XS (fishing + family), and Fury (value-packed entry point).
Every Lund comes standard with a limited lifetime structural hull warranty — a testament to the build quality that Lund anglers have trusted for decades.
Ready to Find Your Fishing Boat?
Browse our current fishing boat inventory or talk to our team about which Lund model is the best fit for your favorite North Dakota waters.
