|
|
Lake Darling - Renville County, ND
|
Location: Sixteen miles north and 13 miles west of Minot, North Dakota
Species: Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Smallmouth Bass
Stocking Report (ND Game & Fish Dept.)
|
Species
|
Type
|
Number
|
Year
|
|
Northern Pike
|
Fingerling
|
50,000
|
2004
|
|
Northern Pike
|
Fingerling
|
60,000
|
2003
|
|
Northern Pike
|
Fingerling
|
50,000
|
2002
|
|
Northern Pike
|
Fingerling
|
103,500
|
2001
|
|
Northern Pike
|
Fingerling
|
75,000
|
2000
|
|
Northern Pike
|
Fingerling
|
172,289
|
1999
|
|
Walleye
|
Fingerling
|
165,400
|
2004
|
|
Walleye
|
Fingerling
|
175,000
|
2003
|
|
Walleye
|
Fingerling
|
150,000
|
2002
|
|
Walleye
|
Fingerling
|
150,000
|
2001
|
|
Walleye
|
Fingerling
|
150,540
|
2000
|
|
Walleye
|
Fingerling
|
90,000
|
1999
|
|
Yellow Perch
|
Fingerling
|
200,000
|
2004
|
|
Smallmouth Bass
|
Fingerling
|
10,920
|
2003
|
|
Smallmouth Bass
|
Fingerling
|
5,000
|
2002
|
REPORT:
 |
|
Also well known as a refuge in the fall in spring for migrating waterfowl.
|
Lake Darling, named after the Iowa cartoonist Jay N. "Ding" Darling, who became the director of the Bureau of Biological Survey, is the largest (10,000 acres) of several impoundment’s on the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge.
FISHING OPPORTUNITIES:
There are 13 available bank fishing areas on the refuge and 2 designated boat fishing areas. Ice fishing on the refuge is accessible by car or truck from the Lake Darling Dam North to Dam 41 by designated access points only. Fishing is also allowed on the Souris River below the Lake Darling dam and upstream of Dam 41 by walk in access only in designated areas. Check out the Refuge Fishing Leaflet available at the Refuge Headquarters or call 701-768-5467
While Lake Darling holds many species of fish, the most sought after are northern pike and walleye. According to Sawyer North Dakota angler Erik Myre, “Jigs and live bait rigs trolled slowly are generally the best method of catching walleye and northern”. Myre has also done well on crank baits thrown towards shore for northern pike, a method that is not often used by anglers on Lake Darling. Myre also notes that algae bloom can make fishing difficult in late summer but as the water cools the fishing generally improves towards fall.
If you're interested in more information, check out our Lake Darling Fishing Reports.
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES - The following activities are not permitted because they are either unsafe, are not consistent with Refuge goals, or are unlawful:
- Camping
- sailing, water skiing, and swimming
- use of all-terrain vehicles, jet skis, snowmobiles and related vehicles
- off-road vehicle travel
- trespassing in closed areas
- unleashed pets
- open fires
- unauthorized collection of animals and vegetation
- possession of fireworks and firearms (except during Refuge hunts)
- searching for or removing historic or prehistoric artifacts
- remaining on the refuge between 10 pm and 5 am
- Use or possession of bait fish other than fathead minnows or sticklebacks
- littering. Please pack your trash home
- pleasure boating on Lake Darling
- Use of boats, canoes, etc on the refuge between Oct 1 and April 30
|
MAP:
|
|
|
|
Click the map to access a map from the ND Game & Fish Dept.
|
|
|
