The Surface Division currently manages 706,600 surface acres held in trust for various schools and institutions. The major source of income on these lands comes from agricultural leases, with grazing being the predominant land use. Significant revenue is also generated from rights-of-way, salt water disposal, and gravel and scoria mining.
Search Department records for Trust Lands surface tracts and leases and view mapping on our Portal!
Livestock Water Development
Public Access Sign Post
Weed & Pest Control Reimbursement
Surface Lease Assignments
Weed & Pest Control Programs, Livestock Water Development, Drought Management
Auctions
The North Dakota Department of Trust Lands holds public surface lease auctions twice a year (typically in March and October). Date, time and location of auctions can be found in the legal notices of your official county newspaper, the auction schedule link below, or by contacting the Department of Trust Lands.
Bidding for each tract starts at the advertised minimum. Lease payments are due immediately following the auction and annually thereafter prior to December 31st throughout the lease term. Leases have a maximum lease term of five years.
Lessees must be 18 years of age or older. No preference is given to former or current lessees.
Auction Schedule & Results
The Department of Trust Lands Surface Division, on behalf of the Board of University and School Lands held Fall Surface Lease Auctions October 1st through October 24th, 2024.
The Department advertised the auction announcement for 3 consecutive weeks in the official county newspapers. Unleased tracts after the auctions are held will be offered on a first come, first served basis for the advertised minimum rent. Payment must be received in the Bismarck office first to be granted the lease.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ND EDUCATION THROUGH LEASING OF SCHOOL TRUST LANDS
Surface Lease Auction Results
News and Notifications
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Department of Trust Lands Fall 2025 Surface Lease Auctions
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 08:00 am - Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 05:00 pm
Categories: SurfaceThe Department of Trust Lands will hold fall surface lease auctions throughout North Dakota in September & October. The fall auction schedule and tract listing will be posted here as soon as it is finalized.
Fall 2025 Auction Tract Listing - Coming Soon!
Check out our new customer portal to search for current lease information - Surface Lease Agreements · North Dakota Land Portal.