Camping and Fishing

[Duckslayer100]

I really want to take my kids camping this summer and combine it with a fishing trip. Last time I attempted this, I booked a "campsite" spot only to realize it was basically an RV park. A little underwhelming, especially since we couldn't have a bonfire or s'mores.

But I've been to a handful of lakes now in central ND and thought to myself, "boy, you could just pitch a tent right over there and I bet have an amazing time."

I'm not sure if there are laws against this, or what sort of parameters there are. I now you can camp on WMA land during the hunting season, but unsure about lakes or the surrounding land.

Thoughts? My kids are super into those "survival challenge" vids on the Youtube, and a surf-and-turf outing would really be slick.

 

[1lessdog]

Camp in the Sandhills and fish the Sheyenne River. Lots of land to hike and fish the bridges. Just make sure you have some 5 gallon buckets of water encase a fire gets away from you.

 

[MSA]

I think you can camp anywhere on shore at sakakawea if you use a boat to access it

 

[Vollmer]

I think you can camp anywhere on shore at sakakawea if you use a boat to access it

Is that true? I wondered how that worked for those guys that kayak/canoe the Missouri river system.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Back in the day we used to camp on shore and Islands a lot and never got bothered or kicked off. It can be a lot of fun if the weather cooperates but it can get spooky out there when it doesn't .

 

[Stinger]

Is that true? I wondered how that worked for those guys that kayak/canoe the Missouri river system.

I’m pretty sure it is “illegal” to camp on corp land without being in a licensed camp ground. White Earth has a few primitive sites that are away from everyone else

 

[tikkalover]

Here are some questions
Tent or camper
Electricity or no electricity
Running water or no water
Shower house or no shower house
Toilet or no toilet

There’s a lot more questions but let’s start with these

 

[Browneye]

I wouldn't worry about it. Go ahead and pitch a tent. If anyone wants to hassle you just start chanting water is life.

 

[Davy Crockett]

FWIW . When the state bought Grahams Island I lost my happiest camping spot ever. It was an awesome opening on the north side that everyone who used it kept up and clean but one night, after dark, a ranger drove up and told me we had to move, that area now belonged to the state. I'd just cracked my first beer and I told him no way I'm going to drive after drinking, and especially with my kids aboard. I put him in a bind and he had no other choice but to say ok. Dang that place was awesome back in the day when the two brothers owned it.

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

There are hidden gems out there. Check out Clausen Springs south of Valley City. It used to be one.
https://www.barnescounty.us/wp-cont...lausenSprings_Brochure_March2024-send.pdf.pdf

 

[CatDaddy]

Little Yellowstone is a small, wooded campground on the Sheyenne. Awesome little place, close to Fort Ransom. A few lakes around there including Dead Colt Creek. Neat area with plenty to explore!

 

[Duckslayer100]

Here are some questions
Tent or camper
Electricity or no electricity
Running water or no water
Shower house or no shower house
Toilet or no toilet

There’s a lot more questions but let’s start with these

Tent
No electricity
Just water filters and a big blue jug we take camping
Bought a neat little solar power shower doohicky last year
Bush wees

 

[LBrandt]

I second Dead Colt for fishing and also Clausins Springs. Lots and lots of pan fish to be had. LB

 

[KDM]

Do you mind other folks being around or do you want to be off in the boonies?

 

[Duckslayer100]

Do you mind other folks being around or do you want to be off in the boonies?

I guess I don't mind if others are around, but it would be nice to feel alone. I was actually looking at the G&F maps and it looks like Lehr WMA butts right up to a lake with a boat access. Should be able to tent it on the WMA and fish right there, too. Plus not terribly far from town if we gotta run in for a quick item or some emergency.

 

[1lessdog]

Clausen Springs would be a good option. Lots of Bluegills to catch. Scale them, gut them out and cut the head off. Butter in the pan over a open fire and some salt and pepper. The kids will love them. Eat the skin and tails, the crisper the better.

 

[Rowdie]

I’m pretty sure it is “illegal” to camp on corp land without being in a licensed camp ground. White Earth has a few primitive sites that are away from everyone else

Fk the CORPS people do it all the time. Drive down to the state line and follow a trail to the river and camp there. West side.

 

[1lessdog]

Fk the CORPS people do it all the time. Drive down to the state line and follow a trail to the river and camp there. West side.

The last thing Duckslayer100 needs is the CORPS rolling up on him and his kids and getting chewed out or a ticket.