7 Best Lake Metigoshe Boat Rentals

Lake Metigoshe is a 1,500-acre lake in the Turtle Mountains of north-central Bottineau County, North Dakota, right along the Canadian border. It is one of North Dakota’s most popular year-round vacation destinations — a rare setting in the state with rolling, forested hills, aspen and oak woodlands, and clear water. The lake is well suited for pontoon boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, and swimming. Boat rentals are available through the state park and, to a more limited extent, through private operators and national watercraft rental services.

Lake Metigoshe State Park Rentals

Lake Metigoshe State Park, located on the lake’s south shore, is the primary source for watercraft rentals. The park offers the following (pricing as of 2025 — confirm current rates with the park at 701-263-4651):

Pontoon boats: $400–450 per day. Seats 10 people. Life jackets included. This is the best option for a group wanting to spend a full day on the lake. Call the park to reserve — pontoons are limited and book up quickly in summer.

Kayaks: $32 per half day or $50 per full day. The park has ten single kayaks and two tandem (double) kayaks. Paddles and life vests are included. Kayaking is excellent on the main lake and the smaller lakes within the park (including School Section Lake, where guided kayaking programs are offered).

Stand-up paddleboards (SUP): $8 per hour or $50 per full day. Two boards are available. Paddles and life vests included. A good option for calm mornings on the lake.

The state park also has a boat ramp, public dock, courtesy fishing docks, and a beach area. A North Dakota state park vehicle entrance pass is required ($7/day for in-state, $7/day for out-of-state vehicles).

Private and Third-Party Rentals

National watercraft rental services such as Invert Sports and similar platforms advertise boat and jet ski rentals delivered to Lake Metigoshe. These services typically offer MasterCraft-style boats, pontoons, jet skis, and water sport equipment (wakeboard, tubing, water ski setups) with delivery to the lake. Pricing varies — expect $200–500+ per half day for motorboats and jet skis, depending on the craft. Reservations must be made in advance and availability is limited. Contact providers directly for current pricing and confirm delivery logistics, as Lake Metigoshe is in a remote location.

Some private cabin and resort owners on the lake may include boat or kayak access with their rental. If you’re renting a lakeside cabin, ask the owner whether any watercraft are included.

Fishing

Lake Metigoshe supports walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and sunfish. Perch and walleye are the primary targets in summer; ice fishing for bluegill, crappie, and perch is popular in winter and is a good way to introduce kids to fishing. A North Dakota fishing license is required. Note that fishing is prohibited within 100 feet of the bridge between North and South Lake Metigoshe year-round, and spawning restrictions are in effect from April 15 through July 1 in designated areas.

The state park has courtesy fishing docks. Much of the 27 miles of shoreline is developed with private residences, but there are still accessible spots for bank fishing, particularly within the state park. Four public boat launch ramps provide access to the lake.

The Osprey Cabin (Paddle-Access Only)

For a unique experience, the state park’s Osprey Cabin is a primitive backcountry cabin on the east shore of Lake Eramosh, accessible only by a 2-mile hike or a 1.5-mile kayak/canoe paddle with a short portage. The cabin sleeps four (two full beds, two twin bunks), has a wood-burning stove, solar lights, and firewood provided. A vault toilet is on-site, but you must pack in your own water. This is one of the more unusual overnight stays available in North Dakota — combining paddling and a remote cabin experience.

Other Things to Do at Lake Metigoshe

The state park and surrounding Turtle Mountains offer more than just boating. The park has over 13 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, including the Old Oak Trail (a National Recreation Trail) and a 3-mile self-guided interpretive trail. The unique woodland and wetland habitat supports plant, animal, and bird species rarely seen elsewhere in North Dakota — birding is excellent, particularly for warblers and woodland species uncommon on the Great Plains.

In winter, the park offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, fat-tire biking, ice fishing, and snowmobile trail access. The park’s snowmobile trails connect to over 250 miles of groomed trails in the Turtle Mountains.

The International Peace Garden, which straddles the US-Canadian border, is a short drive from the lake and worth a visit. The town of Bottineau (about 15 miles south) has restaurants, gas, and supplies.

History

The Lake Metigoshe area has been home to several Native American groups, including the Blackfoot, Hidatsa, Assiniboine, and Chippewa. The name Metigoshe comes from the Chippewa phrase meaning roughly “clear lake surrounded by oak trees.” The state park was established in 1937 and its original structures were built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s, part of the New Deal public works programs during the Great Depression. A Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) transient labor camp on the site — one of the two largest in North Dakota — housed thousands of unemployed workers who built the park’s roads, buildings, and facilities. Many of the original rustic-style structures still stand.

Getting There

Lake Metigoshe State Park is located at 2 Lake Metigoshe State Park Road, Bottineau, ND 58318. From Bottineau, head north on ND Highway 10 approximately 14 miles. The nearest airports with commercial service are Minot (about 100 miles south) and Bismarck (about 230 miles south). The lake is roughly 15 miles south of the Canadian border.