Fishing Heart Butte Reservoir
AKA: Lake Tschida
Popular Fish Species Heart Butte Reservoir - Lake Tschida, ND
Northern Pike Fishing
Big northern pike are thriving in the cool waters of Lake Tschida. This year they are being caught in good numbers with an occasional giant. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. They are extremely active when feeding and they can catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. Summer can be spotty but pike are caught all through the summer. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help. Throughout the season, effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey.
White Bass Fishing
White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. Numerous successful spawn years have increased the population of white bass in Lake Tschida, and anglers can expect some great fishing this year. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing for white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.
Yellow Perch Fishing
Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Lake Tschida. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch, northern pike and tiger muskie at Heart Butte Reservoir in North Dakota.
Heart Butte Reservoir Fishing Video
Boasting a wide variety of fish species, Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) attracts anglers of every age and experience level. This is a 3,400-acre lake with over fifty miles of shoreline, in the southwest part of the state, 12 miles south of Glen Ullin.
Heart Butte Reservoir is a picturesque lake located in the western part of North Dakota. Situated in the heart of the prairie, this reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities for anglers seeking a variety of species. Popular fish species in Heart Butte Reservoir include smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, white crappie, muskie, yellow perch, and northern pike.
Smallmouth bass are highly sought after in Heart Butte Reservoir. Anglers can target these feisty fish using a variety of techniques such as casting crankbaits, jigs, or soft plastics near rocky structures, drop-offs, and submerged logs. The reservoir's clear waters and rocky shorelines provide ideal habitats for smallmouth bass.
Walleye is another prized species in Heart Butte Reservoir. Anglers often find success trolling with crankbaits, spinner rigs, or live bait presentations to entice these elusive fish. Key areas to target walleye include points, submerged humps, and areas with a transition from shallow to deeper water.
Black crappie and white crappie can be found in Heart Butte Reservoir, offering excellent panfishing opportunities. Anglers often use small jigs, minnows, or soft plastics to target crappie near submerged structures, brush piles, or areas with vegetation. Crappie can provide fast-paced action and a delicious meal for anglers.
Muskie, known as the "Fish of 10,000 Casts," also inhabit Heart Butte Reservoir. These apex predators offer a thrilling challenge for anglers. Anglers often target muskie using large jerkbaits, bucktails, or topwater lures near weed beds, rocky points, or drop-offs. Catching a muskie in Heart Butte Reservoir is a true angling accomplishment.
Yellow perch and northern pike are abundant in the reservoir, providing additional angling opportunities. Perch can be targeted using small jigs, live bait, or small spinners. Northern pike, known for their aggressive strikes, can be caught using larger spoons, swimbaits, or crankbaits.
Heart Butte Reservoir in North Dakota is a prime fishing destination known for its diverse range of species, including smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, white crappie, muskie, yellow perch, and northern pike. Anglers can enjoy a variety of fishing experiences while surrounded by the natural beauty of the reservoir. With its excellent boating and camping facilities, Heart Butte Reservoir offers a complete outdoor experience for anglers and nature lovers alike.
Bass, walleye, crappie, perch, pike and muskie are available for catching, with walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass getting the most attention. There are ten campgrounds at or nearby the lake, ten boat launch ramps, lodging and dining at the lake.
Primary fish species residing in Heart Butte Reservoir
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Heart Butte Reservoir/Lake Tschida Amenities
Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Heart Butte Reservoir offers a tranquil setting for boating and camping enthusiasts. Anglers can enjoy the calm waters and beautiful scenery while fishing for their favorite species. The camping facilities in the area provide a great opportunity to relax and spend more time in the great outdoors.
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Crappie Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Crappie Creek Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.
Heart Butte Dam North Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off State Highway 49, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.
Heart Butte Dam South Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off State Highway 49, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.
Heart Butte Reservoir State Game Management Area Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off 58th Street SW, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.
Fishing Guides On Heart Butte Reservoir
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a North Dakota Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Lake Tschida Recreation Campground - 701 584-2201
Red Rock Resort - 701 202-2552
Downstream Camping - 701 584-2201
Heart Butte Reservoir ND Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Heart Butte Reservoir
Lake Tschida Recreation
5675 North Dakota Highway 49
Elgin, North Dakota 58533
701 584-2201
Fishing lakes in each state.
102124
Heart Butte Reservoir in ND
NORTH DAKOTA
Fishing for walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass in southwest ND.