NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — For those looking to hook a salmon before it gets too cold out, you might want to know where to look.

Experts say North Dakota has a very viable salmon population and while you can fish salmon year-round, you might not always have the best luck.

Salmon can be found in bodies of water throughout the state like Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe.

A large part of North Dakota’s salmon population comes from the Garrison Dam Fish Hatchery.

However, according to the Missouri River Systems Supervisor, as it gets closer to the spawn in October, mature salmon will return to shallow waters to lay their eggs.

“Once you hit July and through August, September, October they’re concentrating right near the dam. Once you get to where they’re going shallow, salmon going shallow, in September and then during the spawn, most anglers are concentrating in government bay,” said Kuss Kinzler with the Missouri River Systems.

Fishermen say the best and most common places to salmon fish are near Rodeo Bay and the corners of the Garrison Dam. But river systems officials urge people to move with caution if they plan to fish up the reservoir.

“You have to be careful because there’s lots of trees, especially down deep in spots and you’ll lose your ear to that, along the dam you’re pretty safe,” said Kinzler.

For more information on salmon fishing and habitats click here .

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