North Dakota is a prime destination for duck hunters looking for excellent hunting opportunities. The state has an abundance of wetlands, rivers, and lakes that provide ideal habitat for ducks during migration seasons. With liberal duck hunting regulations and plenty of public land access, North Dakota duck hunting is a popular draw for hunters across the country. But with several towns across North Dakota offering fantastic duck hunting, it can be tough to narrow down the very best spots. Here we’ll explore some of the top duck hunting towns in North Dakota and what makes each location great for hunting waterfowl.
Key Factors for Top Duck Hunting Locations
When evaluating the best cities and towns for duck hunting in North Dakota, several key factors come into play:
- Abundance of ducks – Areas along major flyways and with lots of wetland habitat tend to attract more ducks.
- Public land access – Public hunting areas and ease of accessing hunting locations from town.
- Hunting regulations – Some areas have more liberal bag limits or longer seasons.
- Services/amenities – Lodging, restaurants, and other services can add to the experience.
- Duck hunting history/culture – Established duck hunting traditions and experienced guides.
Keeping these factors in mind, here are some of the top duck hunting towns across North Dakota:
Bismarck
Located along the Missouri River in the central part of the state, Bismarck is considered by many as one of the premier duck hunting locations in North Dakota. Some key features that make Bismarck excellent for duck hunting include:
- Positioned within the Central Flyway for duck migration.
- Access to the Missouri River and other smaller rivers and streams.
- Several state wildlife management areas with wetlands and waterfowl habitat.
- Hunting culture and tradition centered around excellent duck opportunities.
- Full services and amenities as one of the largest cities in the state.
In addition, Bismarck falls within North Dakota Game and Fish Department hunting units 2A, 2B, and 2C which have some of the most liberal duck season lengths and bag limits in the state. Overall, the combination of bountiful wetland habitat, proximity to major flyways, and great access to public land give Bismarck a strong advantage as a top duck hunting destination.
Key Public Hunting Areas
Some of the most popular public lands for hunting near Bismarck include:
- Beaver Creek WMA – 8,752 acres of mixed wetlands.
- Sunburst WMA – 5,445 acres with waterfowl production areas.
- Harmon Lake WMA – 2,459 acres surrounding a 640-acre lake.
- Apple Creek WMA – 3,600 acres of prairie potholes and rolling hills.
- Steinke WMA – 930 acres with a 90-acre reservoir and wetlands.
Minot
Found in north central North Dakota, Minot provides excellent access to the Souris River, Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, and other prime duck habitat. Benefits of Minot for duck hunting are:
- Proximity to the Souris River, a major migration route for ducks in the Central Flyway.
- Only 12 miles from the Des Lacs NWR with 86,000 acres of prime wetlands.
- Good public land access through state wildlife management areas.
- Located in Game and Fish unit 1C with a liberal 60 day duck season.
- Solid amenities as a city of over 45,000 residents.
Some of Minot’s best public hunting lands include Lonetree WMA, its adjoining Southwest Game Management Area, and the Martinson WMA to the southeast. Overall, the wetland habitat and abundance of public areas make Minot a duck hunter’s paradise.
Key Public Hunting Areas
Top public hunting destinations near Minot consist of:
- Lonetree WMA – 25,238 acres of wetlands and uplands.
- Southwest Game Management Area – Adjoins Lonetree WMA for a total of 30,238 acres.
- Martinson WMA – 1,548 acres of prime waterfowl habitat.
Devils Lake
For hunters looking to take advantage of North Dakota’s famous Devils Lake region, the town of Devils Lake is an obvious choice. As the name implies, this area is known for excellent duck hunting opportunities.
- Located along a major migration route between the Prairie Pothole Region and Hudson Bay.
- Abundant wetland habitat on Devils Lake with over 80,000 surface acres.
- Access to smaller lakes like Six Mile Bay and Lake Irvine.
- Several state wildlife management areas in the region.
- Well-known duck hunting tradition and culture.
Top public hunting areas to consider near Devils Lake are Creel Bay WMA, Township Bay WMA, and the Stump Lake Public Hunting Area. The Devils Lake region’s wetland habitat and location make it a duck hunting hotspot.
Key Public Hunting Areas
For public land duck hunting around Devils Lake, top options are:
- Creel Bay WMA – 7,089 acres surrounding Creel Bay on Devils Lake.
- Township Bay WMA – 8,103 acres on Devils Lake’s Township Bay.
- Stump Lake Public Hunting Area – 11,000 acres around Stump Lake south of Devils Lake.
Jamestown
Situated in east central North Dakota, Jamestown offers duck hunters excellent access to some of the state’s top pothole duck habitat. Benefits of Jamestown’s location include:
- Surrounded by numerous small lakes, wetlands, and potholes.
- Located between the two forks of the James River.
- Within a major transition zone along the Central and Mississippi Flyways.
- Good public land access through state wildlife management areas and federal waterfowl production areas.
- Amenities of a mid-sized city with a population over 15,000.
Some prime public hunting areas around Jamestown consist of the James River WMA,BaseModel Lake WMA, and numerous federal WPAs growing in number over the past decade. Overall, Jamestown is an underrated but excellent option for North Dakota duck hunting.
Key Public Hunting Areas
Top public hunting lands around Jamestown include:
- James River WMA – 2,935 acres centered around the James River.
- BaseModel Lake WMA – 1,733 acres surrounding a 90-acre marsh.
- Many federal Waterfowl Production Areas – Scattered smaller wetlands with good access.
Valley City
Found along the Sheyenne River in southeast North Dakota, Valley City offers a variety of public hunting options. Valley City duck hunting benefits include:
- Positioned in the heart of North Dakota’s Prairie Pothole Region.
- Sheyenne River and adjacent wetlands are major duck attractants.
- Several state wildlife management areas and federal WPAs.
- Located within underrated Game and Fish Unit 1A.
- Small town setting with adequate amenities.
The Sheyenne River National Grassland south of town and WPAs like Eckelson South offer notable public hunting access. Overall, Valley City is a bit further off the beaten path but holds its own as a duck hunting destination.
Key Public Hunting Areas
For public land options near Valley City, top picks are:
- Sheyenne River National Grassland – Over 70,000 acres of public lands.
- Eckelson South WPA – 640 acres of protected wetlands.
- Other national grasslands and WPAs scattered throughout the region.
Dickinson
In western North Dakota, Dickinson provides a great jumping off point for hunting waterfowl on the Missouri River and smaller regional waters. Advantages of Dickinson for duck hunting include:
- Proximity to the Missouri River within the Central Flyway.
- Several smaller lakes and wetlands in the area.
- Public access through state WMAs and Trust Lands.
- Located in underappreciated Game and Fish Unit 2D.
- Good selection of amenities as a mid-sized oil boom town.
Some top public hunting spots near Dickinson are the Stoppleworth WMA, Dickinson Reservoir, and Crown Butte Dam Recreation Area. For Missouri River hunting, Dickinson holds its own against larger cities further north.
Key Public Hunting Areas
Some notable public land hunting options around Dickinson consist of:
- Stoppleworth WMA – 640 acres with a 90-acre reservoir.
- Dickinson Reservoir – 1,643 acres impounding Heart River.
- Crown Butte Dam Recreation Area – 1,600 acres surrounding a 200-acre lake.
Conclusion
When considering the question of the best duck hunting towns in North Dakota, several locations stand out for their abundance of birds, quality habitat, and public land access. Top contenders include Bismarck, Minot, Devils Lake, Jamestown, Valley City, and Dickinson.
Centrally located Bismarck arguably offers the best overall package in terms of duck numbers, available public land, and amenities. Areas like Minot and Devils Lake also hold their own with excellent proximity to premier duck habitat and hunting tradition. Underrated gems like Jamestown and Valley City in the southeast shouldn’t be overlooked either.
No matter your preference, North Dakota duck hunters are blessed with outstanding towns and public hunting areas across the state during the fall migrations. As long as you hit the road during peak season and scout properties thoroughly, success is within reach no matter where you end up. Just be sure to purchase proper licenses, follow regulations, and exercise safe hunting practices.
