Lakes / North Dakota / Des Moines Lake
Des Moines Lake, North Dakota
959 acres
Surface Area
15.4 ft
Max Depth
10.2 ft
Average Depth
9.4 mi
Shoreline
1,762 ft
Surface Elevation
Where It Sits, and How Deep It Goes
Locator - North Dakota
47.13 degrees N, 99.64 degrees W - Kidder County. State and county outlines drawn from Census boundary data; the lake marker is placed by its North Dakota Game and Fish coordinates, not by eye. Schematic - not a survey map.
Depth Profile - Des Moines Lake
Schematic cross-section drawn to one shared depth scale - not a survey or bathymetric map.
How Des Moines Lake Stacks Up
- A shallow lake - typical of most North Dakota lakes, which run under 20 ft at their deepest.
- About 58 miles from Bismarck, as the crow flies.
- 2 fish species on the NDGF list for this lake.
Fish Species
Northern PikeWalleye
Species recorded for this lake. Presence only - no abundance ratings.
Facts and Figures
Waterbody ID145411411
CountyKidder
Coordinates47.1332, -99.6448
Deepest Natural Lakes in North Dakota
| # | Lake | County | Surface Area | Max Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stump Lake | Nelson | 17,681 acres | 77.1 ft |
| 2 | Devils Lake | Ramsey | 110,763 acres | 58.1 ft |
| 3 | Free Peoples Lake | Benson | 891 acres | 55.3 ft |
| 4 | Spiritwood Lake | Stutsman | 493 acres | 54.7 ft |
| 5 | Moon Lake | Barnes | 115 acres | 54.3 ft |
Largest Lakes in North Dakota
| # | Lake | County | Surface Area | Max Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Sakakawea | McLean | 350,520 acres | 180 ft |
| 2 | Lake Oahe | Emmons | 309,912.6 acres | 200 ft |
| 3 | Devils Lake | Ramsey | 110,763 acres | 58.1 ft |
| 4 | Stump Lake | Nelson | 17,681 acres | 77.1 ft |
| 5 | Long Lake | Burleigh | 16,934 acres | - |
Sources: North Dakota Game and Fish lake data (ID 145411411); USGS EPQS. Verified October 30, 2026.