2026 Lake Sakakawea Preview
- matthewliebel
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
🎣 Lake Sakakawea Walleye Outlook 2026 – It’s Looking GOOD! 🌊🔥
The latest ND Game & Fish Department survey and stocking reports are in — and if you love chasing walleyes on Lake Sakakawea, you should be excited about 2026.
Walleye made up 43.5% of the total catch in the 2025 survey — by far the dominant species in the lake.
Fish ranged from 7” all the way up to 30”+
Average length: 15.7 inches
Strong representation in the 13–20 inch class, meaning plenty of eater-sized fish.
Big fish are present too — including fish pushing 30 inches.
That mix of eaters + trophies is exactly what anglers want to see heading into a new season.
ND Game & Fish has continued strong stocking efforts:
2025: 510,600 walleye fingerlings
Over 1 million stocked in 2023
Over 2 million stocked in 2022
That consistent stocking, paired with natural reproduction, keeps Sakakawea one of the most reliable walleye fisheries in the Midwest.
🔥 What This Means for 2026
✅ Strong eater population
✅ Healthy mid-size year classes
✅ Trophy potential
✅ Stable future outlook
Lake Sakakawea continues to prove why it’s one of the best walleye fisheries in the country — and 2026 is shaping up to be another outstanding year.
If you’re thinking about booking a trip, don’t wait. Prime dates go fast once open water hits.
📅 Secure your 2026 trip now:👉 www.liebelsguideservice.com