Gear & Tackle
Yellowstone River (North Dakota)

Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait

Yellowstone River (North Dakota) Fishing Guide

North Dakota

The Yellowstone River in North Dakota near Buford, Cartwright and Fairview: a spring and fall fishery for sauger and walleye, where North Dakota Game and Fish says channel catfish are abundant.

Part of the Yellowstone River.

Photo: Ksteblet via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to the Yellowstone River (North Dakota) for walleye, channel catfish and sauger. No agency season found for the species here.

There is 1 shop nearby, including Sportsman's Warehouse Williston in Williston. Also nearby: the Upper Missouri River (North Dakota).

Season at a Glance

No agency season found for these fish here.

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.

Buy a License from ND Game and Fish ND Game and Fish Fishing Regulations

Parts of the Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River (North Dakota) Species

Walleye

Walleye

No agency season found.

View Species
Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

No agency season found.

View Species
Sauger

Sauger

No agency season found.

View Species

Species per ND Game and Fish.

Images: Timothy Knepp and Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

What to Use

Fishing In
Fish

Walleye

No agency season found

Spin / Cast

7 to 8 ft medium casting rod and line-counter reel for trolling crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers and deep crankbaits, 10 to 12 lb line. For jigging, a 6.5 ft medium-light rod with 10 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Rod, Reel and Line

  • RodSt. Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod · 7 ft 6 in or 8 ft 6 in, medium, moderate, 10 to 20 lb line (telescopic)Check Price
  • ReelOkuma Magda Pro Line Counter Reel · size 20, right handCheck Price
  • LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 10 or 12 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

  • Lure for November · 1/8 to 3/8 ozJig and Minnow · Northland Fire-Ball JigCheck Price
  • Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitAfter dark.Check Price
  • Lure for November · 4 to 7 inPaddle-Tail SwimbaitSee Options

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.

Buy Local

Shops near Yellowstone River (North Dakota):

Map of Yellowstone River (North Dakota)

Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fishing VideosWatch Yellowstone River (North Dakota) Fishing Videos on YouTube

Planning for a Month

Prime in November

No agency season found for the species here.

Daylight

Loading…

Moon

Loading…

Typical Weather

42°F high, 21°F low

About 0.6 in of precipitation for the month.

Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 15 mi away.

Also Worth Packing

Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.

Pack It For: Sep to Jun

Check Price Maker's Page

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.

Pack It For: Year-round

Check Price Maker's Page

Apparel

Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer

A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.

Pack It For: Nov to Mar

Check Price Maker's Page

Apparel

Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt

Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.

Pack It For: Nov to Mar

Check Price Maker's Page

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Ramps and Launches on Yellowstone River (North Dakota)

Source: NDGF Fishing Facilities. Hours and fees change; check before you go.

Shops Near Yellowstone River (North Dakota)

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · North Dakota

Upper Missouri River (North Dakota)

Part of the Missouri River

The Missouri River from Williston to the Montana line, above Lake Sakakawea: a spring and fall fishery for sauger and walleye, where North Dakota Game and Fish says channel catfish are abundant.

Channel Catfish · Sauger · Walleye

View Water