Clitherall

Clitherall Lake is a 2,493-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately one mile south of Clitherall, MN. Clitherall Lake is connected to Crane Lake via a non-navigable inlet along the south shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 69 feet; however, 32% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2024 lake survey was 15.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 9.3 to 19.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline of Clitherall Lake has been extensively developed. The development consists primarily of homes/cabins and resorts. A DNR owned public water access is located along the south shoreline and a township owned access is located along the north shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along the north and west shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush 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. A standard survey was conducted to analyze the gamefish populations of Clitherall Lake. Walleye abundance increased from the previous two surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.5 to 22.8 inches with an average length and weight of 14.8 inches and 1.2 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.5 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance is at a moderate level. Pike ranged in length from 12.5 to 31.7 inches with an average length and weight of 22.1 inches and 2.3 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 25.4 inches at five years of age. A high-density Largemouth Bass population exists. Age and length data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 6.7 to 15.1 inches with an average length and weight of 11.6 inches and 0.9 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 12.0 inches at five years of age. Bluegill abundance is moderate; however, inconsistent reproduction causes fluctuations in abundance and size structure. In this survey, 24% of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.2 inches at seven 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 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. Clitherall Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2021. 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.

Clitherall Lake is a 2,493-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately one mile south of Clitherall, MN. Clitherall Lake is connected to Crane Lake via a non-navigable inlet along the south shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 69 feet; however, 32% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2020 lake survey was 19.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 9.3 to 16.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline of Clitherall Lake has been extensively developed. The development consists primarily of homes/cabins and resorts. A DNR owned public water access is located along the south shoreline and a township owned access is located along the north shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along the north and west shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush 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. A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Northern Pike populations. Walleye abundance in the 2020 survey was slightly below the historical average. Walleyes ranged in length from 14.3 to 20.8 inches with an average length and weight of 17.6 inches and 1.9 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.1 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance is at a moderate level. Age data indicate that the 2018 year class is strong. Pike ranged in length from 13.0 to 30.4 inches with an average length and weight of 21.5 inches and 2.3 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 23.3 inches at five years of age. A high density Largemouth Bass population exists. Age and length data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 6.3 to 15.6 inches with an average length and weight of 12.1 inches and 1.0 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 12.1 inches at 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 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. Clitherall 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.

Clitherall Lake is a 2,493-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately one mile south of Clitherall, MN. Clitherall Lake is connected to Crane Lake via a non-navigable inlet along the south shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 69 feet; however, 32% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading was 15.2 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 9.3 to 16.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline of Clitherall Lake has been extensively developed. The development consists primarily of homes, cabins and resorts. A DNR owned public water access is located along the south shoreline and a township owned access is located along the north shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along the north and west shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush 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. Clitherall Lake can be ecologically classified as a Bass-Panfish-Walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The long term trend has been a decline in Walleye abundance. Walleyes ranged in length from 10.0 to 21.7 inches with an average length and weight of 15.9 inches and 1.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.2 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance is at a moderate level. Age data indicate that the 2013 year class is strong. Pike ranged in length from 18.4 to 31.4 inches with an average length and weight of 23.0 inches and 2.8 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 23.7 inches at four years of age. An abundant Black Crappie population exists. Age data indicate that the 2011 year class is strong and should provide good angling for several years. Size structure is also good with 71% of the sample measuring 10.0 inches or greater in length. Crappies attain an average length of 10.0 inches at five years of age. Bluegills are also very abundant. Twenty-two percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.2 inches at seven years of age. A high density Largemouth Bass population exists. Age and length data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 6.7 to 15.4 inches with an average length and weight of 11.0 inches and 0.8 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 12.4 inches at five years of age. A Smallmouth Bass re-introduction plan was initiated in 1998. In 1998 and 1999, a total of 433 Smallmouth Bass were stocked into Clitherall Lake. In 1998, a no harvest regulation for Smallmouth Bass was implemented in order to protect Smallmouth Bass while a self-sustaining population was established. One hundred Smallmouth Bass half-log nesting structures were also placed into Clitherall Lake in 1998 and ten more were added in 1999. These structures increased the available spawning habitat and increased spawning success. Six off shore rock reefs were constructed in 1999 to provide juvenile Smallmouth Bass feeding and escape cover. SCUBA assessments in 1999 indicated use of the half logs by spawning Smallmouth Bass; active nests and fry were also observed. Juvenile and young of the year Smallmouth Bass were observed utilizing the off shore reef habitat. In 2015, the no harvest regulation was amended to a 14.0 to 20.0 inch protected slot length limit with one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. In 2014, a spring electrofishing assessment was conducted to analyze the Smallmouth Bass population. Data indicated that a moderate density population with a good size structure exists. Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 7.4 to 19.9 inches with an average length and weight of 14.4 inches and 1.8 pounds. Smallmouth Bass attain an average length of 14.0 inches at four 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 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.

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

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

Clitherall has a maximum depth of 69 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clitherall is from 2024.

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