What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Elsie?

Lake Elsie carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override North Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye. One of them reads: "Walleye / sauger / saugeye 14 in MINIMUM length (Richland Co.) — one of only four ND waters with a walleye length limit; 5 / day combined (10 possession); channel catfish 5 / day east of ND Hwy 1, only 1 over 24 in; southeastern ND prairie lake." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Elsie?

Yes. Lake Elsie is in North Dakota, so a valid North Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Elsie; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide North Dakota rules.

Do Lake Elsie's special rules replace North Dakota's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. North Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Elsie by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Lake Elsie?

Walleye has a water-body-specific rule on Lake Elsie, each linking to its full North Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide North Dakota limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Elsie 2026 — North Dakota Fishing Regulations

North Dakota statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Lake Elsie carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of North Dakota's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Walleye / sauger / saugeye 14 in MINIMUM length (Richland Co.) — one of only four ND waters with a walleye length limit; 5 / day combined (10 possession); channel catfish 5 / day east of ND Hwy 1, only 1 over 24 in; southeastern ND prairie lake
Source: North Dakota special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Elsie

Walleye regulations →
14 in MIN walleye / sauger, 5 / day combined (Richland Co.) — one of only four ND waters with a walleye length limit

Official source

North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F) publishes the authoritative 2026 North Dakota fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official North Dakota fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to North Dakota Game & Fish Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any North Dakota trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in North Dakota

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Elsie?: Lake Elsie carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override North Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye. One of them reads: "Walleye / sauger / saugeye 14 in MINIMUM length (Richland Co.) — one of only four ND waters with a walleye length limit; 5 / day combined (10 possession); channel catfish 5 / day east of ND Hwy 1, only 1 over 24 in; southeastern ND prairie lake." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Elsie?: Yes. Lake Elsie is in North Dakota, so a valid North Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Elsie; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide North Dakota rules.
Do Lake Elsie's special rules replace North Dakota's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. North Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Elsie by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Lake Elsie?: Walleye has a water-body-specific rule on Lake Elsie, each linking to its full North Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide North Dakota limits.

← Back to North Dakota regulations overview