Donalds

Donalds Lake is a 168-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County and within the city limits of Ottertail City, Minnesota. The surrounding watershed is primarily municipal. The maximum depth of Donalds Lake is 43 feet; however, 50% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 15.6 feet. Previous secchi disk reading have ranged from 6.0 to 15.0 feet. Moderate development exists around Donalds Lake. A city owned concrete public access is located on the west shoreline. Parking space is limited and access is gained by navigating off of a city street. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) is located in various areas throughout 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. A moderate density Northern Pike population exists; however, the size structure is poor. Northern Pike ranged in length from 12.8 to 33.1 inches with an average length and weight of 16.3 inches and 0.9 pounds. The Bluegill population is extremely abundant and has a high quality size structure. Eighty-five percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 44% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.1 inches at eight years of age. The Black Crappie population is moderately abundant with a quality size structure. Black Crappies ranged in length from 8.5 to 12.2 inches with an average length of 9.9 inches. Fifty percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.2 inches at five years of age. Anglers can maintain or improve 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. Donalds Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive 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.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries Area staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Donalds Lake on 08/10/2021, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 34 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 64.0 (+/- 4.0), indicating overall lakeshore habitat quality was low (50-65). Approximately 94 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 62.0 (+/- 3.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 96.7 (+/- 3.3). For more information see map and summary table below.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries Area staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Donalds Lake on 08/10/2021, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 34 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 64.0 (+/- 4.0), indicating overall lakeshore habitat quality was low (50-65). Approximately 94 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 62.0 (+/- 3.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 96.7 (+/- 3.3). For more information see map and summary table below.

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

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

Donalds has a maximum depth of 43 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

No invasive species are on record for Donalds in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.