Good Map/Source of info on Lake Sakakawea???

[defiant1]

So, I will be taking the boat out on Lake Sakakawea for the very first time ever here in a few weeks. Seemingly most of the forum members are familiar with the lake based on the posts in this forum. I don't feel like crashing the boat or losing a bunch of tackle. Is there a good reference I can utilize to help mitigate my concerns.?

Sakakawea is a decent sized lake, for reference, I will be launching at Indian Hills Campground and will make way to Van Hook area.

Any advice or practical experience on boating/fishing the lake would be appreciated.

d1

 

[dean nelson]

If you don't have a lake master or other such product just look at where you are going to be on the state site to look for bad spots. Just zoom in they have the lake all maped out.

http://ndgf.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=b87a3492b4974c1e97e1edb5f536252e

 

[RustyTackleBox]

FYI that is a 22.5 mile on the water in straight lines from the mouth of Indian hills to shell village (what most consider the mouth of van hook) and 31.2 mi to the van hook boat ramp... The other thing to know is a south or north wind will screw you on that portion of the lake if you are not prepared... I've had that 11 mi from shell to the van hook ramp take 30+ min and that wasn't even a bad day... If you don't have a gps in your boat with a map chip get the navionics app on a smartphone its $10 if I remember and could save your @$$

 

[Fishmission]

Made the run from Indian Hills to the Hook last August. Its a haul and as luck goes we had 35 mph winds come up on the way back with about 20 miles of hair raising waves. Just watch the weather. There are plenty of bays to hide in if it does get too rough.

 

[camoman]

I hope you have a good sized rig. That's a LONG haul on that portion of lake with a little wind.

 

[shorthairsrus]

why bother going by boat --- you have plenty of accesses --- trailer up and go where you want to fish. You will save time money and your teeth

 

[RustyTackleBox]

I agree with short... If you are not sure where you want to fish and want a great midway point go to deep water to put in and then you can go either way

 

[Fishmission]

Boating that stretch can be fun. Sounds like he wants to explore. Another scenic run is Indian Hills into the Little Missouri Arm. Shorter too.

 

[Riggen&Jiggen]

Scenic wise I think the stretch from Pouch Point to the New Town Bridge is the best on the lake. What is the size of your boat? My concern is that you never have been on Sak before. Depending on your boating experience I would not recommend long boat rides on Sak with anything less than 18ft and deep V design. Main concern should be the weather and wind. Lake Master and Navionics are the 2 best gps chips for lake contours.

 

[NodakBuckeye]

2nd the navionics and other thoughts too. What kind if boat and how familiar are you with it?

 

[defiant1]

If you don't have a lake master or other such product just look at where you are going to be on the state site to look for bad spots. Just zoom in they have the lake all maped out.

http://ndgf.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=b87a3492b4974c1e97e1edb5f536252e

Thanks for the link. That will come in handy.

FYI that is a 22.5 mile on the water in straight lines from the mouth of Indian hills to shell village (what most consider the mouth of van hook) and 31.2 mi to the van hook boat ramp... The other thing to know is a south or north wind will screw you on that portion of the lake if you are not prepared... I've had that 11 mi from shell to the van hook ramp take 30+ min and that wasn't even a bad day... If you don't have a gps in your boat with a map chip get the navionics app on a smartphone its $10 if I remember and could save your @$$

Thanks for the information. I did not realize it was that far. I figured the wind/weather would slow my travels. I don't need to get to Van Hook perse, I just want to find a good stretch to pull plugs or jig. I do have GPS and will have to get a map chip (LakeMaster) for my Humminbird to utilize.

why bother going by boat --- you have plenty of accesses --- trailer up and go where you want to fish. You will save time money and your teeth

True. I will have to familiarize myself with the boat landings on that side of the lake.

Scenic wise I think the stretch from Pouch Point to the New Town Bridge is the best on the lake. What is the size of your boat? My concern is that you never have been on Sak before. Depending on your boating experience I would not recommend long boat rides on Sak with anything less than 18ft and deep V design. Main concern should be the weather and wind. Lake Master and Navionics are the 2 best gps chips for lake contours.

I have a Monark King 190 V-hull. I will have to buy the Lake Master chip that includes Sakakawea. I will have to check out the Pouch Point to New Town Bridge you mentioned.

2nd the navionics and other thoughts too. What kind if boat and how familiar are you with it?

I just got the boat ('99 MonArk King 190 V-hull) earlier this year and have been spending countless hours replacing parts (making it reliable) and modifying the layout so it meets my needs and the needs of my "crew".
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I do appreciate all the comments from everyone. Clearly, all the input has been geared toward keeping this boater safe and well informed. Thanks again.

d1