Devils Lake Region
Centered on Devils Lake, North Dakota's largest natural body of water — a closed-basin lake that rose about 30 feet after 1993, quadrupled in surface area, and spilled into neighboring Stump Lake. The flooding submerged forests and farmland that now provide structure for a nationally known walleye, yellow perch, and white bass fishery, active through a long ice-fishing season.
| Lake | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetwater Lake | Ramsey | 3 ft | - | 0 |
| Wood Lake | Benson | - | - | 0 |
| Free Peoples Lake | Benson | - | - | 0 |
| Fort Totten Bay Lake | Benson | - | - | 0 |
| Mission Bay Lake | Benson | - | - | 0 |
| Dry Lake | Ramsey | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Devils Lake | Benson | 3.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Alice | Ramsey | 3.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Laretta | Nelson | 3.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Irvine | Ramsey | 2.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Devils Lake | Ramsey | 5.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Pelican Lake | Ramsey | 3.7 ft | - | 0 |
| East Devils Lake | Ramsey | 6.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Western Stump Lake | Nelson | 4.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Morrison Lake | Ramsey | 1.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Eastern Stump Lake | Nelson | 4.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Mchugh Slough Lake | Nelson | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
| West Stump Lake | Nelson | 9.8 ft | - | 0 |
| East Stump Lake | Nelson | 8.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake | Towner | 8 ft | - | 0 |
| Whitman Dam Lake | Nelson | 12 ft | - | 0 |
| Tolna Dam Lake | Nelson | 4.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Mcville Dam Lake | Nelson | 6.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Armourdale Dam Lake | Towner | 7.2 ft | - | 0 |
Ways to pick a Devils Lake Region lake
Cleanest water
- Sweetwater Lake — 3 ft clarity
- Wood Lake — Benson County
- Free Peoples Lake — Benson County
- Fort Totten Bay Lake — Benson County
Cleanest Lakes in Devils Lake Region
Other Lake Regions
Plan a trip in North Dakota
North Dakota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its readings
Cleanest lakes within 50 miles of Fargo
Cleanest lakes within 50 miles of Bismarck
Cleanest lakes within 50 miles of Devils Lake
Frequently Asked Questions
The Devils Lake Region area has 24 lakes with water-quality records from state and federal monitoring. 20 of them have a clarity reading and 0 have documented fish species.
Cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Devils Lake Region are on the map below with live availability. A lake with low nutrient and algae readings is the better swim and cabin pick when water quality is part of the trip.
The lakes with the lowest nutrient and algae readings lead the table above. Each lake page shows its own phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and clarity readings beside the EPA condition class; none of it is a same-day swim clearance.
Where to stay near Devils Lake Region
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Devils Lake Region — then explore the interactive map to find a place to stay close to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Devils Lake Region
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.