Garrison Dam · Missouri River
Lake Sakakawea
Lake Sakakawea is the Missouri River backed up behind Garrison Dam: roughly 178 miles long with about 1,340 miles of shoreline — more shoreline than the coast of California. It stretches across six counties of west-central North Dakota, from Pick City near the dam all the way to Williston.
It is enormous, wind-swept, cold, and absolutely loaded with fish. Sakakawea is the lake most of our Minot and Bismarck customers boat first and buy for — and the lake that most rewards buying the right boat instead of the cheapest one.
The Fishing
Walleye is the headline — Garrison calls itself the Walleye Capital of North Dakota, and the Van Hook Arm near New Town hosts some of the biggest walleye tournaments in the region. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are strong throughout the lake, and crappie hold in the timbered bays.
The Right Boat for Lake Sakakawea
- Lund deep-V — the Sakakawea boat. Shop Lund boats →
- Bennington pontoon — for the bays. Shop pontoons →
- Glacier ice house — the winter season. Shop ice houses →
Boat shopping for Lake Sakakawea? Visit Vallely Sport & Marine — Minot or call (701) 578-3946. We handle delivery, service, winterization, and storage across the region.
