Lake trip · Towner County, North Dakota
Where to stay at Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake
Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake covers 240 acres in Towner County and carries a water-quality grade of NR (Not rated). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The grade measures nutrients and algae — it is not a stay-or-skip rating. Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
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Places to stay near Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake in Towner County, North Dakota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake grades NR for nutrients and algae — Not rated. Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Water clarity is about 8 ft of visibility. The letter is not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
See the full Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake water-quality report →
Best time to visit
Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Check the National Weather Service forecast for Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake →
About Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake
Fishing & license
North Dakota fishing license
North Dakota also requires the once-yearly Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2 resident / $5 nonresident), so a first purchase totals $29 resident and $73 nonresident.
Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need a fishing license. Residents under 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a license; nonresidents under 16 may also take and possess a limit of fish without a license when accompanied by an individual possessing a valid fishing license. Residents 65 or older qualify for a reduced $10 Senior Citizen Fishing License, and residents who are totally/permanently disabled or veterans with a 50 percent service-related disability also pay $10. · Fishing is effectively open year-round: the hook-and-line season is open in all waters open to fishing from April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year, which is also the license year. Dated exceptions include darkhouse spearfishing (Nov 15 - Mar 15), paddlefish snagging (May 1 - 21, 7 am - 7 pm CT, separate tag required), and salmon snagging (Sep 25 - Oct 31).
Prices as published by North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 2026-27.
Camping & RV near Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake
Search public campgrounds and RV sites near Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake on Recreation.gov, then compare cabins, resorts, and rentals on the map above.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake in Towner County, North Dakota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice.
Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.
Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake
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LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Bisbee-Big Coulee Dam Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.