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Wild Rice River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

North Dakota, United States

4.2·219 catches

Top fish species at Wild Rice River

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Check which species have trophy potential in Wild Rice River

Wild Rice River fishing reports

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Channel catfish

25 in · 6 lb

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Channel catfish

length · weight

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Channel catfish

19 in · 2 lb 3 oz

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Channel catfish

19 in · 2 lb 5 oz

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Channel catfish

18 in · 2 lb 2 oz

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Channel catfish

36 in · 20 lb

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General info

Wild Rice River is a stream located in Richland County, North Dakota, United States. It is also intersecting with Cass County, North Dakota. It is most popular for fishing Channel catfish, Goldeye, and Walleye.

Location

46°12′24″N 97°05′18.2″W
Directions

Official website

gf.nd.gov

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Wild Rice River, ND

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in North Dakota can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Channel catfish

Channel catfish

Regulation boundaryND East of Hwy 1
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Max size24" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 24

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Additional information
East of ND Highway 1: Bag limit and possession limit = 5 channel catfish, and it is illegal to take or possess more than 1 channel catfish greater than 24-inches in total length. West of ND Highway 1: no bag limit, no possession limit, no size limit. It is illegal to gaff any species in waters in which there are size limits.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Channel Catfish by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Ictalurus punctatus
Season open: year-round
Walleye

Walleye

Regulation boundaryNorth Dakota State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
Possession limit = 10 Walleye, Sauger, or Saugeye in any combination. In Red and Bois de Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing on any of their tributaries combined bag limit and possession limit is reduced to 3 Walleye, Sauger, or Saugeye in any combination. Minimum size of 14-inches applies to Walleye and Sauger caught from Lake Elsie (Richland Co.), Buffalo Lake (Sargent Co) and including connected waters north to Sargent Co. Rd. 1, and Jameston and Pipestem reservoirs (Stutsman Co.) and upstream to and including the first bridge crossing.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Sander vitreus
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Local laws and licenses

North Dakota fishing license

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Reviews of Wild Rice River

4.2
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16 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

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11.0 miles away

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Oxbow

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Davenport

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Foxhome

37.4 miles away

Horace

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Wheaton

39.6 miles away

Rothsay

42.5 miles away

Baker

43.0 miles away

Barnesville

44.3 miles away

Sabin

44.8 miles away

West Fargo

45.8 miles away

Elizabeth

47.2 miles away

Fergus Falls

48.7 miles away

Wendell

48.7 miles away

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FAQ about Wild Rice River fishing

📍 Where is the Wild Rice River located?
the Wild Rice River is a stream located in Richland County, North Dakota, United States. It is also intersecting with Cass County, North Dakota. Its coordinates are:
46°12′24″N 97°05′18.2″W
.
🎣 Where on the Wild Rice River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Wild Rice River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Wild Rice River?
The most common species in the Wild Rice River are:
  • Channel catfish - 29 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Goldeye - 6 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Walleye - 11 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Wild Rice River fishing reports?
The latest Wild Rice River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Wild Rice River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Wild Rice River, some of the species in season this November include: Paddlefish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Wild Rice River?

Fishing in North Dakota requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, available online or at licensed retailers.

In North Dakota, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 65 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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