Ethel

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ethel Lake was conducted on July 16 -July 17, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) Program 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 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample all 10 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Mimic Shiner) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA Program staff from 9 to 11 June 2025. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured eight species of fish. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority by biomass. Approximately 18 percent of the Bluegill captured were over 8 inches in length. A gill net survey was conducted by LBMA Program staff concurrently with the trap netting efforts from 9 to 11 June 2025. Six gill nets were set on the bottom and in a variety of habitats. Gill net sampling captured ten species of fish. Yellow Bullhead and Northern Pike comprised a majority of the catch by number and biomass. The average Northern Pike captured in gill nets was about 16.5 inches and 1 pound. About 5 percent of the Northern Pike were over 24 inches. The average Walleye captured in gill nets was 21 inches and 3 pounds, but there was less than 1 Walleye captured per gill net. The nearshore, trap net, and gill net data were combined 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Mimic Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead 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 web site. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Ethel Lake may be healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Ethel Lake is fully supporting aquatic life use. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Ethel Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ethel Lake was conducted beginning on June 28, 2017 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Mimic Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2014 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. Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Common Carp, 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. Data from this survey indicates Ethel Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score 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 Otter Tail River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Ethel Lake is a 194-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately seven miles northeast of Battle Lake, MN. The maximum depth of the lake is 64 feet; however, 35% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The shoreline length is 3.2 miles. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The secchi disk reading during the 2014 survey was 22.1 feet. The secchi disk reading has ranged from 8.0 to 23.0 feet in previous surveys. A DNR owned public access is located at the northeast end of the lake off of County Road 5. Parking at the access is very limited. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Shoreline development has increased substantially in recent years. Emergent aquatic plants, mainly hardstem bulrush and common cattails, are located in scattered stands around the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their important ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Ethel Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present. Suitable spawning habitat for these species exists throughout the lake. A moderately high density Northern Pike population exists. Northern Pike size structure has consistently been poor. Northern Pike ranged in length from 12.2 to 28.5 inches with a mean length and weight of 17.6 inches and 1.5 pounds. Northern Pike growth rates continue to be slow. Pike attain an average length of 18.5 inches at four years of age. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 6.4 to 14.8 inches. Age data from recent assessments indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass attain an average length of 13.4 inches at five years of age. Bluegill abundance has historically been high; however, size structure remains good. Sixty percent of the bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.9 inches five years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

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

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

Ethel has a maximum depth of 64 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ethel is from 2025.

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