Explore The Depths: North Dakota's Deepest Natural Lake Unveiled

Did you know North Dakota has a natural lake so deep you could almost fit a hockey rink in it vertically?  I had no idea, to be honest.

Most of North Dakota’s natural bodies of water are shallow prairie lakes.

Of course, there are exceptions.  Devils Lake in Ramsey County for example is a pretty deep lake.  Especially during these high water times.  The deepest spot on that lake is nearly 60 feet deep according to Wikipedia.  I know I’ve seen some 50-plus foot readings before on East Devils Lake while fishing and hunting.

Even deeper than Devils Lake is Stump Lake in nearby Nelson County.  I’ve seen 70 feet plus water on my depth finder before while fishing on this salty lake.  Officially Stump Lake is 73 feet according to Wikipedia.

How about deep man-made lakes or reservoirs?

If we’re talking water created by man, Lake Sakakawea gets down there.  According to T & H Sakakawea maxes out at 180 feet deep  Lake Oahe is crazy deep as well as it has depths of over 200 feet, although most of those spots are in South Dakota.  Again, those are reservoirs.

I was more curious about the deepest NATURAL lake in North Dakota.

I have an answer for you.  According to an article in the Jamestown Sun, the deepest natural lake in North Dakota is none other than Lake George located southeast of Tappen, North Dakota.

How deep is Lake George?  Try 150 feet deep.

This is crazy deep for a prairie pothole lake, where most of them max out at around 20 feet deep.  Lake George is known as “Salt Lake” by locals.  The lake has very high concentrations of sodium and sulfate, which makes it unique.

One farmer friend of mine told me a story that somebody released a shark in the lake a long time ago and it survived.  You know local legends.  If it were true, what was the shark eating?  Supposedly the lake is too salty for any freshwater fish to survive.

The lake does offer some recreation opportunities.  It has a state park on the west side of the lake and a National Wildlife Refuge on the east side of the lake.  Supposedly some people even swim in the lake.

Worth a look next time you’re in the Dawson, Streeter, and Tappen areas.