Freshwater drum Lakes in North Dakota
Found in 3 North Dakota lakes · 1 in Michigan
Rough fish like Freshwater drum are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 1 North Dakota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Freshwater drum is narrowly distributed — only 1 lakes in Michigan have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Freshwater drum lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Freshwater drum documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Freshwater drum Lakes Map
Every North Dakota lake with documented freshwater drum, colored by water-quality grade.
Best Freshwater drum Lakes in North Dakota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Audubon | McLean | B | 4.7 ft | 59.4 ft |
| 2 | Trenton Lake | Williams | C | 1.5 ft | 8.1 ft |
| 3 | Alkali Lake | Sargent | C | 4.6 ft | 21.9 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many North Dakota lakes have freshwater drum?
Freshwater drum are found in 3 lakes in North Dakota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is C (Fair).
What are the best freshwater drum lakes in North Dakota?
The best freshwater drum lakes in North Dakota by water quality are Lake Audubon, Trenton Lake, Alkali Lake.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.