Lake Tschida Recreation & Camping Overview

There are 10 boat ramps on the lake & 9 campgrounds, which offer a lot of opportunities. The most popular fishing methods are crankbaits, jigs, & spinners. Look shallow early & late in the year, as more fishing is done on the west end. As the water temperatures rise, you’ll find more fish closer to the channel in deep water, which is found on the east side towards the dam. Historically, it has been known for smaller fish but those who fish it year-round will tell a different story.

Lake Tschida, Heart Butte Reservoir, is the only sizable body of water in the Heart River area & has become a popular recreation center formally managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoir has a surface area of 3,400 acres. Picnicking, swimming, boating, camping, & water skiing activities occur in the summer. Fall & winter activities include hunting, ice fishing, snowmobiling, & ice skating.

Designated areas along the shoreline of the reservoir have been leased by the Boy Scouts & other organizations, & 238 sites for summer homes & trailers have been leased. The more remote areas are leased for agricultural uses. The North Dakota Game & Fish Department administers part of the areas for fish & wildlife activities.

There are nine primitive campgrounds; 8 with vault toilets & 4 with potable water. Rimrock Campground has 20 campsites with electrical hookups & 53 primitive campsites without. The Downstream Campground has 25 campsites with electrical hookups.

Amenities

• Camp Store
• Dump Station
• Fire Rings
• Grills
• Ice
• Laundry
• Pay Phone
• Picnic Tables
• Restrooms
• RV Supplies
• Security
• Showers
• Wood

Activities

• Beach
• Boating
• Fishing
• Playground
• Sports Field
• Tours
• Walking Trails