Round

Round Lake is a 262 acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately four miles north of Ottertail, MN. The immediate watershed consists primarily of hardwood woodlots and marshland. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet; however, 84% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2004 survey was 8.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.4 to 9.0 feet. Moderate development exists along the north and east shorelines. The development consists of homes and cabins. A state owned public water access is located on the east shoreline, however; parking is very limited. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, cattails, and wild rice) is located throughout the basin. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines from erosion and can even absorb and break down pollutants from the water. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. They also are important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Round Lake contains populations of northern pike, bluegill, and walleye. A high-density northern pike population exists. Age data indicate that the 2008 year class is very strong. Twenty percent of the pike were 24.0 inches or greater in length. Pike ranged in length from 11.6 to 31.8 inches with an average length and weight of 20.7 inches and 2.0 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 21.6 inches at four years of age. Bluegill abundance is extremely high. The 2004 year class is very strong. Twelve percent of the bluegills were 7.0 or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.7 inches at seven years of age. Walleye abundance has historically been low. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.9 to 22.5 inches with an average length and weight of 17.8 inches and 2.2 pounds. Walleye abundance is likely limited by predation from the high-density northern pike population. Anglers can maintain 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.

Round Lake is a 262-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County, approximately four miles north of the city of Ottertail, MN. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet; however, 84% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel. Secchi disk readings, a measure of water clarity, have been taken during fish assessments since 1971. The reading in 2004 was 3.4 feet. Past readings have ranged between 3.5 and 9.0 feet. A public access is located on the east shoreline, however; parking is very limited. Round Lake experienced a partial winterkill in 1996-97. In the spring of 1997, adult largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie were stocked in order to reestablish these species. Data also indicates that fish species may have entered Round Lake via the connection to the Otter Tail River during the high water period of 1997. Moderate development exists on the north and east shorelines. There are no resorts on the lake. Emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattails and wild rice) is located throughout the basin. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines from erosion and can even absorb and break down pollutants from the water. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. They also are important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Round Lake contains populations of northern pike, bluegill, largemouth bass, and walleye. Northern pike numbers remained stable but size structure has declined. Only 5% of the pike were 24.0 inches or greater in length. Pike ranged in length from 16.0 to 27.2 inches with an average length and weight of 20.4 inches and 1.6 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 17.2 inches at four years of age. Bluegill numbers are up from previous surveys; however; most of the fish are less than seven inches in length. Bluegill ranged in length from 4.1 inches to 8.7 inches with an average length and weight of 5.6 inches and 0.2 pounds. Largemouth bass are present in good numbers. Bass ranged in length from 10.8 to 14.7 inches with an average length and weight of 12.6 inches and 0.9 pounds. Walleye abundance remained stable. Walleye ranged in length from 9.9 to 22.5 inches with an average length and weight of 16.1 inches and 1.4 pounds. Walleye fry were stocked in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004. The management plan includes walleye fry stocking in alternate years (2006, 2008, 2010). Walleye attain an average length of 12.6 inches at four years of age.

Round Lake is a 262-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County, approximately four miles north of the city of Ottertail. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet; however, 84% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel. Secchi disk readings, a measure of water clarity, have been taken during fish assessments since 1971. The reading in 1999 was 8.1 feet. Past readings have ranged between 3.5 and 9.0 feet. A public access is located on the east shoreline, however, parking is very limited. Round Lake experienced a partial winterkill in 1996-97. In the spring of 1997, adult largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie were stocked in order to reestablish these species. Data also indicates that fish may have entered Round Lake via the connection to the Otter Tail River during the high water period of 1997. Moderate development exists on the north and east shorelines. There are no resorts on the lake. Emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattails and wild rice) is located throughout the basin. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines from erosion and can even absorb and break down pollutants from the water. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. They also are important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Round Lake contains good populations of black crappie, northern pike, and bluegill. Black crappie numbers are up from previous surveys with some over 10 inches present. Northern pike numbers and size structure are good. Twenty-percent of the pike were 24 inches or greater in length. Bluegill numbers are down from previous surveys; however, some larger fish are present. Largemouth bass are likely present in good numbers. A spring electrofishing assessment would provide better data on the largemouth bass population. Suitable spawning habitat for these species is prevalent. The walleye population is currently higher than in previous years. Walleye ranged in length from 12.3 to 19.9 inches. The majority of these fish are likely due to walleye immigration via the Otter Tail River during high water years. Walleye have not been stocked in Round Lake since 1989 and areas suitable for walleye spawning are very limited. The current management plan calls for walleye fry stocking in alternate years to maintain/increase the walleye population to management goals.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Yellow Perch in Round. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Round has a maximum depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Round is from 2010. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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