West Leaf

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in West Leaf Lake was conducted on July 25, 2022 by Fergus Falls Area Fisheries Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all fourteen sampling stations, but two stations were moved a short distance due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at seven stations, and soft sediments and abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicates West Leaf Lake is in good health as indicated by a high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Leaf River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

West Leaf Lake is a 684-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in east-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles east of Ottertail, MN. West Leaf Lake is connected to Middle Leaf Lake via an unnavigable fish passageway along the east shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots and marshland. West Leaf Lake has a maximum depth of 55 feet; however, 37% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 lake survey was 11.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 5.6 to 11.5 feet. Development is located around the entire shoreline of West Leaf Lake. Homes and cabins compose the majority of the development. One resort is located along the northeast shoreline. A state owned concrete public access is located on a township road along the northeast shoreline off of County Highway 108. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. There are extensive areas of emergent aquatic plants (hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail) present in the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. West Leaf Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant game fish species in the fish community. A moderate density Walleye population exists. Walleyes ranged in length from 13.6 to 22.6 inches with an average length and weight of 18.0 inches and 2.0 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 16.2 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike are also moderately abundant. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 17.1 to 25.7 inches with an average length and weight of 20.7 inches and 1.8 pounds. Pike growth rates are slow with an average length of 22.8 inches at five years of age Catch data indicate that Largemouth Bass are abundant. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is also consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 7.9 to 18.8 inches. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 12.2 inches at four years of age. Bluegill abundance has historically remained very stable. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. A quality size structure exists, with Bluegills up to 9.8 inches represented in the sample. Thirty-one percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 16% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.2 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. West Leaf Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in West Leaf Lake was conducted on August 20-21, 2018 by Fisheries Lake Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) program staff. Fourteen sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all stations. A 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and a substantial fringe of dense emergent vegetation and water lilies and soft substrates prevented the use of seines at four sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 21 native species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from a standard gill and trap netting survey from July 2017 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) score that describes the overall health of the lake. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. The FIBI score for West Leaf Lake based on this survey is well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Redeye River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass in West Leaf. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for West Leaf. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

West Leaf has a maximum depth of 55 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in West Leaf is from 2022.

Yes — West Leaf has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.