US Army Corps of Engineers
Omaha District Website

Home / Media / Fact Sheets / Fact Sheet Article View

Ice Fishing Access Policy

2020

Published Dec. 14, 2012
A Northern Pike caught in March 2013 while ice fishing on Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam Project on the Northeast side of the lake in Steinke Bay, which is near Sportsmen's Centennial Park access and Steinke WMA access. Ice Fishing is a popular outdoor winter activity for may North Dakotans.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 4

A Northern Pike caught in March 2013 while ice fishing on Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam Project on the Northeast side of the lake in Steinke Bay, which is near Sportsmen's Centennial Park access and Steinke WMA access. Ice Fishing is a popular outdoor winter activity for may North Dakotans.

Each winter, as the temperatures drop and the ice thickens, fisherman set up temporary structrues on Lake Sakakawea to support fishing on the ice.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 4

Each winter, as the temperatures drop and the ice thickens, fisherman set up temporary structrues on Lake Sakakawea to support fishing on the ice.

Man drilling a hole for ice fishing.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 4

Man drilling a hole for ice fishing.

Theee men ice fishing.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 4

Theee men ice fishing.

PRINT | E-MAIL

Ice Fishing Access Policy

1.  Licensed, motorized vehicles must use existing public roads for entering and leaving ice fishing access areas. Some public roads often drift closed with snow and will not be plowed open.  In these instances, operating a motor vehicle off-road to obtain access is not-allowed.

2.  This policy targets that period of the calendar year in which Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon freeze over and until April 1 following the freeze over date or until the lake becomes ice free, whichever occurs first. This policy shall be re-evaluated on an annual basis to implement changes needed based upon fluctuating reservoir elevations.

3.  Any winter activity performed on the ice can be hazardous and requires extreme caution.  The Corps of Engineers does not encourage or recommend driving on ice at any time.  Thin ice or open water may exist anywhere throughout the entire Garrison Project, and pressure ridges occur throughout the winter.

4.  All Title 36 Regulations apply to the Ice Fishing Access Sites on Garrison Project lands. 

5.  North Dakota Game & Fish WMA Regulations apply within all Wildlife Management Areas located on Corps lands around the reservoir.  Additionally, ND Game & Fish has specific regulations pertaining to the use of ice/fish/spearing houses within the State of North Dakota.

6.  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service rules and regulations apply to all access points to Lake Audubon within the Lake Audubon National Wildlife Refuge.  Please contact Lake Audubon NWR Headquarters for information concerning these access points.

7.  Attached is a List of the Ice Fishing Access Sites Open for Use on Garrison Project. This policy shall remain in effect unless rescinded by the Operations Project Manager.



Ice Fishing Access Areas

Williston (Lake Sakakawea West)

  1. Missouri and Yellowstone Confluence Entry
  2. Trenton – Rec Area Boat Ramp
  3. Lewis and Clark WMA Ice Access around 1563.5
  4. Trenton Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Big Timber Access
  5. Lewis and Clark WMA Pumphouse
  6. Lewis and Cark Bridge Boat Ramp
  7. Lewis and Clark Magnum Point (Opened at a later date – 16 Dec in 2019-2020)
  8. Kjorstad Bottoms Ice Access Gate
  9. Little Muddy Thompson Landing Boat Ramp
  10. Crossroads of 13th Ave E and 42nd St E
  11. Woodpecker Bay Shoreline Access Gate
  12. Long Creek Shoreline Access – One Stop
  13. Long Creek Cabin Association Ice Access Gate
  14. Lewis and Clark State Park Boat Ramp
  15. Lewis and Clark State Park Swim Beach
  16. Lund's Landing (White Tail Bay) Boat Ramp
  17. Lund's Landing (White Tail Bay) East Parking Lot
  18. Paradise Point Freeway Access North
  19. Paradise Point Freeway Access South
  20. Tobacco Gardens West Access
  21. Tobacco Gardens Boat Ramp
  22. Tobacco Gardens Shoreline Access
  23. Charlson
  24. Red Mike Shoreline Access East Gate
  25. Little Egypt Walk in Access
  26. Hofflund Bay WMA
  27. Little Beaver Bay Boat Ramp 1
  28. Little Beaver Bay Boat Ramp 2
  29. Phelps Bay Access Area
  30. White Earth Bay Shoreline Access
  31. White Earth Bay Boat Ramp
  32. Antelope Creek
  33. Four Bears Park Boat Ramp 1
  34. Four Bears Park Boat Ramp 2
  35. North Side of Little Knife Bay
  36. Sanish Bay (Aftem) Low Water Ramp
  37. Sanish Bay (Aftem) Boat Ramp
  38. Reunion Bay Boat Ramp
  39. Reunion Bay East Access



Riverdale (Lake Sakakawea East)

  1. Little Field Bay Boat Ramp
  2. Van Hook Boat Ramp 1
  3. Van Hook Boat Ramp 2
  4. Van Hook Boat Ramp 3
  5. Parshall Bay Boat Ramp 1
  6. Pouch Point Boat Ramp
  7. Skunk Creek Rec Area Boat Ramp 1
  8. Skunk Creek Rec Area Boat Ramp 2
  9. Little Missouri Boat Ramp
  10. Charging Eagle Low Water Ramp
  11. Charging Eagle Bay Boat Ramp
  12. McKenzie Bay Boat Ramp 1
  13. McKenzie Bay Boat Ramp 2
  14. Hale Marina Shoreline Access
  15. Deepwater Creek WMA Foote's
  16. Deepwater Cabin Site Freeway Access
  17. Deepwater Low Water Ramp
  18. Deepwater Creek North Dakota Game and Fish (NDGF) Boat Ramp
  19. Deepwater Creek Fish & Camp Court and Shoreline Access
  20. Deepwater Creek USACE Rec Boat Ramp
  21. Indian Hills Boat Ramp
  22. Red Butte Boat Ramp
  23. Beaver Bay Shoreline Access
  24. Beaver Bay Boat Ramp
  25. Renner Bay Shoreline Access
  26. Dakota Water Resort Boat Ramps
  27. Pebble Beach Shoreline Access
  28. Beulah Bay Boat Ramp and Shoreline Access
  29. Beulah Bay Cabin Site Freeway Access
  30. Walleye Bay Hazen Rec Boat Ramp
  31. Hazen Bay Boat Ramp 1
  32. Hazen Bay Boat Ramp 2
  33. Douglas Creek Zieglers Ramp
  34. Low Water Access South of Igleharts
  35. Spring Creek Boat Ramp Access
  36. Douglas Creek USACE Rec Boat Ramp 1
  37. Douglas Creek USACE Rec Boat Ramp
  38. Guard Camp Boat Ramp
  39. Camp of the Cross Boat Ramp
  40. Schlichting Freeway Access
  41. North Lakeview Freeway Access – Walk In
  42. Sunset Bay Freeway Access Ramp
  43. Hidden Bay Cabin Freeway Access
  44. Hide-a-way Cabin Freeway Access West
  45. Hide-a-way Cabin Freeway Access East
  46. South Garrison Near Owls Site Shoreline Access
  47. Garrison Creek Freeway Access
  48. Garrison Creek Cabin Site Boat Ramp
  49. Garrison Boat and Barge Walk in Access
  50. Lakeview Estates Cabin Freeway Access
  51. Fort Stevenson State Park Boat Ramp
  52. Fort Stevenson State Park Boat Ramp 2
  53. DeTrobriand Bay (South Garrison Golf Course)
  54. Steinke Bay Boat Ramp
  55. Steinke Bay Low Water Ramp
  56. Sportsmen's Centennial Boat Ramp
  57. West Totten Trail Boat Ramp
  58. Ellwein Estates Freeway Access
  59. West Acres Freeway Access
  60. Rolling Hills Freeway Access
  61. Pick City II Freeway Access
  62. Bayview Heights Freeway Access
  63. Happy Acres Freeway Access North
  64. Happy Acres Freeway Access South
  65. Lake Sakakawea State Park Fishing Point  Boat Ramp
  66. Lake Sakakawea State Park Rodeo Boat Ramp
  67. Spillway Pond (Foot traffic only)
  68. Government Bay Boat Ramp
  69. Wolf Creek WMA – Deadmans West
  70. Wolf Creek WMA – Deadmans East
  71. Site 67 Wolf Creek
  72. Wolf Creek Shoreline Access
  73. Wolf Creek Recreation Area Boat Ramps
  74. Old Highway 83 East Ramp



Audubon

  1. East Totten Boat Ramp
  2. NDGF Audubon WMA 3-mile Corner Access
  3. Three Mile Corner Shoreline Access 1
  4. Three Mile Corner Shoreline Access 2
  5. Evenson Cabin Site
  6. NDGF Audubon WMA Snake Creek Cabin Access
  7. Snake Creek Freeway Access 1
  8. NDGF Audubon WMA Snake Creek North Arm
  9. Snake Creek Freeway Access 2
  10. NDGF Audubon WMA Lane Boat Ramp
  11. NDGF Audubon WMA Turtle Lake Boat Ramp
  12. Kinn Farm Access 1
  13. Kinn Farm Access 2
  14. Audubon NE Corner Ice Access
  15. Audubon NWR North of McClusky Canal
  16. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 5
  17. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 4
  18. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 3
  19. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 2
  20. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 1

Related Link: Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea web page
Related Link: Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea Recreation Maps
fishing
boating

Ice Fishing Access Policy

2020

Published Dec. 14, 2012
A Northern Pike caught in March 2013 while ice fishing on Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam Project on the Northeast side of the lake in Steinke Bay, which is near Sportsmen's Centennial Park access and Steinke WMA access. Ice Fishing is a popular outdoor winter activity for may North Dakotans.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 4

A Northern Pike caught in March 2013 while ice fishing on Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam Project on the Northeast side of the lake in Steinke Bay, which is near Sportsmen's Centennial Park access and Steinke WMA access. Ice Fishing is a popular outdoor winter activity for may North Dakotans.

Each winter, as the temperatures drop and the ice thickens, fisherman set up temporary structrues on Lake Sakakawea to support fishing on the ice.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 4

Each winter, as the temperatures drop and the ice thickens, fisherman set up temporary structrues on Lake Sakakawea to support fishing on the ice.

Man drilling a hole for ice fishing.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 4

Man drilling a hole for ice fishing.

Theee men ice fishing.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 4

Theee men ice fishing.

PRINT | E-MAIL

Ice Fishing Access Policy

1.  Licensed, motorized vehicles must use existing public roads for entering and leaving ice fishing access areas. Some public roads often drift closed with snow and will not be plowed open.  In these instances, operating a motor vehicle off-road to obtain access is not-allowed.

2.  This policy targets that period of the calendar year in which Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon freeze over and until April 1 following the freeze over date or until the lake becomes ice free, whichever occurs first. This policy shall be re-evaluated on an annual basis to implement changes needed based upon fluctuating reservoir elevations.

3.  Any winter activity performed on the ice can be hazardous and requires extreme caution.  The Corps of Engineers does not encourage or recommend driving on ice at any time.  Thin ice or open water may exist anywhere throughout the entire Garrison Project, and pressure ridges occur throughout the winter.

4.  All Title 36 Regulations apply to the Ice Fishing Access Sites on Garrison Project lands. 

5.  North Dakota Game & Fish WMA Regulations apply within all Wildlife Management Areas located on Corps lands around the reservoir.  Additionally, ND Game & Fish has specific regulations pertaining to the use of ice/fish/spearing houses within the State of North Dakota.

6.  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service rules and regulations apply to all access points to Lake Audubon within the Lake Audubon National Wildlife Refuge.  Please contact Lake Audubon NWR Headquarters for information concerning these access points.

7.  Attached is a List of the Ice Fishing Access Sites Open for Use on Garrison Project. This policy shall remain in effect unless rescinded by the Operations Project Manager.



Ice Fishing Access Areas

Williston (Lake Sakakawea West)

  1. Missouri and Yellowstone Confluence Entry
  2. Trenton – Rec Area Boat Ramp
  3. Lewis and Clark WMA Ice Access around 1563.5
  4. Trenton Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Big Timber Access
  5. Lewis and Clark WMA Pumphouse
  6. Lewis and Cark Bridge Boat Ramp
  7. Lewis and Clark Magnum Point (Opened at a later date – 16 Dec in 2019-2020)
  8. Kjorstad Bottoms Ice Access Gate
  9. Little Muddy Thompson Landing Boat Ramp
  10. Crossroads of 13th Ave E and 42nd St E
  11. Woodpecker Bay Shoreline Access Gate
  12. Long Creek Shoreline Access – One Stop
  13. Long Creek Cabin Association Ice Access Gate
  14. Lewis and Clark State Park Boat Ramp
  15. Lewis and Clark State Park Swim Beach
  16. Lund's Landing (White Tail Bay) Boat Ramp
  17. Lund's Landing (White Tail Bay) East Parking Lot
  18. Paradise Point Freeway Access North
  19. Paradise Point Freeway Access South
  20. Tobacco Gardens West Access
  21. Tobacco Gardens Boat Ramp
  22. Tobacco Gardens Shoreline Access
  23. Charlson
  24. Red Mike Shoreline Access East Gate
  25. Little Egypt Walk in Access
  26. Hofflund Bay WMA
  27. Little Beaver Bay Boat Ramp 1
  28. Little Beaver Bay Boat Ramp 2
  29. Phelps Bay Access Area
  30. White Earth Bay Shoreline Access
  31. White Earth Bay Boat Ramp
  32. Antelope Creek
  33. Four Bears Park Boat Ramp 1
  34. Four Bears Park Boat Ramp 2
  35. North Side of Little Knife Bay
  36. Sanish Bay (Aftem) Low Water Ramp
  37. Sanish Bay (Aftem) Boat Ramp
  38. Reunion Bay Boat Ramp
  39. Reunion Bay East Access



Riverdale (Lake Sakakawea East)

  1. Little Field Bay Boat Ramp
  2. Van Hook Boat Ramp 1
  3. Van Hook Boat Ramp 2
  4. Van Hook Boat Ramp 3
  5. Parshall Bay Boat Ramp 1
  6. Pouch Point Boat Ramp
  7. Skunk Creek Rec Area Boat Ramp 1
  8. Skunk Creek Rec Area Boat Ramp 2
  9. Little Missouri Boat Ramp
  10. Charging Eagle Low Water Ramp
  11. Charging Eagle Bay Boat Ramp
  12. McKenzie Bay Boat Ramp 1
  13. McKenzie Bay Boat Ramp 2
  14. Hale Marina Shoreline Access
  15. Deepwater Creek WMA Foote's
  16. Deepwater Cabin Site Freeway Access
  17. Deepwater Low Water Ramp
  18. Deepwater Creek North Dakota Game and Fish (NDGF) Boat Ramp
  19. Deepwater Creek Fish & Camp Court and Shoreline Access
  20. Deepwater Creek USACE Rec Boat Ramp
  21. Indian Hills Boat Ramp
  22. Red Butte Boat Ramp
  23. Beaver Bay Shoreline Access
  24. Beaver Bay Boat Ramp
  25. Renner Bay Shoreline Access
  26. Dakota Water Resort Boat Ramps
  27. Pebble Beach Shoreline Access
  28. Beulah Bay Boat Ramp and Shoreline Access
  29. Beulah Bay Cabin Site Freeway Access
  30. Walleye Bay Hazen Rec Boat Ramp
  31. Hazen Bay Boat Ramp 1
  32. Hazen Bay Boat Ramp 2
  33. Douglas Creek Zieglers Ramp
  34. Low Water Access South of Igleharts
  35. Spring Creek Boat Ramp Access
  36. Douglas Creek USACE Rec Boat Ramp 1
  37. Douglas Creek USACE Rec Boat Ramp
  38. Guard Camp Boat Ramp
  39. Camp of the Cross Boat Ramp
  40. Schlichting Freeway Access
  41. North Lakeview Freeway Access – Walk In
  42. Sunset Bay Freeway Access Ramp
  43. Hidden Bay Cabin Freeway Access
  44. Hide-a-way Cabin Freeway Access West
  45. Hide-a-way Cabin Freeway Access East
  46. South Garrison Near Owls Site Shoreline Access
  47. Garrison Creek Freeway Access
  48. Garrison Creek Cabin Site Boat Ramp
  49. Garrison Boat and Barge Walk in Access
  50. Lakeview Estates Cabin Freeway Access
  51. Fort Stevenson State Park Boat Ramp
  52. Fort Stevenson State Park Boat Ramp 2
  53. DeTrobriand Bay (South Garrison Golf Course)
  54. Steinke Bay Boat Ramp
  55. Steinke Bay Low Water Ramp
  56. Sportsmen's Centennial Boat Ramp
  57. West Totten Trail Boat Ramp
  58. Ellwein Estates Freeway Access
  59. West Acres Freeway Access
  60. Rolling Hills Freeway Access
  61. Pick City II Freeway Access
  62. Bayview Heights Freeway Access
  63. Happy Acres Freeway Access North
  64. Happy Acres Freeway Access South
  65. Lake Sakakawea State Park Fishing Point  Boat Ramp
  66. Lake Sakakawea State Park Rodeo Boat Ramp
  67. Spillway Pond (Foot traffic only)
  68. Government Bay Boat Ramp
  69. Wolf Creek WMA – Deadmans West
  70. Wolf Creek WMA – Deadmans East
  71. Site 67 Wolf Creek
  72. Wolf Creek Shoreline Access
  73. Wolf Creek Recreation Area Boat Ramps
  74. Old Highway 83 East Ramp



Audubon

  1. East Totten Boat Ramp
  2. NDGF Audubon WMA 3-mile Corner Access
  3. Three Mile Corner Shoreline Access 1
  4. Three Mile Corner Shoreline Access 2
  5. Evenson Cabin Site
  6. NDGF Audubon WMA Snake Creek Cabin Access
  7. Snake Creek Freeway Access 1
  8. NDGF Audubon WMA Snake Creek North Arm
  9. Snake Creek Freeway Access 2
  10. NDGF Audubon WMA Lane Boat Ramp
  11. NDGF Audubon WMA Turtle Lake Boat Ramp
  12. Kinn Farm Access 1
  13. Kinn Farm Access 2
  14. Audubon NE Corner Ice Access
  15. Audubon NWR North of McClusky Canal
  16. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 5
  17. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 4
  18. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 3
  19. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 2
  20. Audubon Auto Tour Ice Access 1

Related Link: Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea web page
Related Link: Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea Recreation Maps
fishing
boating