Trout & Salmon

Brown Trout Fishing in North Dakota

Wary, long-lived trout of rivers and tailwaters. Browns feed most aggressively at low light and turn to streamers and big flies in fall before spawning.

Waters: 1
State: North Dakota
Water: Freshwater
Methods: Fly, Spin & Bait

Prime Months in North Dakota: No Agency Season Found

What to Use for Brown Trout

Fishing In

Brown Trout

No agency season found

Fly

9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt or 6wt floatingCheck Price
LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price

Tie On in November

Fly for November · #4-8Sculpin StreamerLow light and fall.See Options
Fly for November · #16-22Blue-Winged OliveSee Options
Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options

Spin / Cast

6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodUgly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod · 6 ft 6 in light, 4 to 10 lb, 2 pieceCheck Price
ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 6 or 8 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Also Worth Packing

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.

Check Price Maker's Page

Sunglasses

Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.

Check Price

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Licenses & Regulations

Most anglers need a North Dakota fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Where to Catch Brown Trout

1 of 1 waters

Rivers & Streams · North Dakota

Missouri River (Garrison Dam Tailrace)

Part of the Missouri River

The Missouri River directly below Garrison Dam, where North Dakota Game and Fish says the tailrace continues to produce trophy brown and rainbow trout and a diverse quality fishery for walleye and salmon.

Brown Trout: no agency season found here

View Water