Otter Tail

Otter Tail Lake is a 13,725-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County. The city of Ottertail, MN abuts the east shoreline of the lake. Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream, while Deer, East Lost, West Lost, and Red River Lakes are located downstream. Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River, which is located along the north shoreline, and the Dead River, which is located along the northwest shoreline. The Otter Tail River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Otter Tail Lake has a maximum depth of 120 feet; however, 57% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2024 survey was 12.5 feet. Historical secchi disk readings ranged from 6.2 to 9.0 feet. The majority of the lake is surrounded by residential and commercial development. State owned public water accesses are located on the north, northeast, and southwest shorelines. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with gravel. The lake contains large, shallow flats along most of its perimeter. Because of the abundant sand substrate, areas of submerged aquatic vegetation are present but sporadic. A few remnant stands of hardstem bulrush remain and are located adjacent to the undeveloped parcels. These areas are important components to the lake. They provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat during all stages of life and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Bulrush beds are natural shoreline stabilizers, reducing erosion caused from wave action and they can even absorb pollutants from the water. Because of their ecological value, bulrush may not be removed without a DNR permit. Otter Tail Lake is a very popular lake for both open water and winter angling. Although it is known primarily for the excellent Walleye angling, Otter Tail Lake is one of the few lakes in the area that supports a quality Yellow Perch fishery. It is also known as a trophy Northern Pike fishery, particularly among winter spear fishermen. A Lake Sturgeon re-introduction plan was implemented in 2002 when yearling Lake Sturgeon were stocked into Otter Tail Lake. The objective of the re-introduction plan is to re-establish a self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon population in the Otter Tail River system. Lake Sturgeon fingerlings were stocked on an annual basis from 2004 to 2019. In this survey, Lake Sturgeon ranged in length from 32.4 to 50.6 inches with an average length and weight of 40.9 inches and 9.6 pounds. A low to moderate density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 16.0 to 33.0 inches with an average length and weight of 24.4 inches and 3.3 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 24.4 inches at five years of age. A 30-inch minimum length limit for Northern Pike was implemented on Otter Tail Lake in May of 2003. The management goal of the regulation was to increase the size structure of the Northern Pike population. The specific management objective was to provide a Northern Pike population with at least 20% of the pike in the gill net sample measuring 30.0 inches or greater in length. The management objective was not achieved in any survey since the regulation was implemented. After receiving public input, the 30.0-inch minimum length limit regulation was modified in 2023 to the north-central zone regulation. This regulation stipulates a bag limit of ten pike with not more than two over 26.0 inches in length and all pike from 22.0 to 26.0-inches must be immediately released. Yellow Perch size structure and abundance has declined in recent surveys. Thirteen percent of the Yellow Perch were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Yellow Perch attain an average length of 8.2 inches at five years of age. Walleye abundance remains at a high level. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.6 to 24.9 inches with an average length and weight of 13.4 inches and 1.0 pounds. The 2021 and 2022-year classes are very strong and should provide good Walleye angling now and in the future. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.7 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in Otter Tail Lake 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 eating. Releasing medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and should provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. Otter Tail Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2016. 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.

Otter Tail Lake is a 13,725 acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County. The city of Ottertail, MN abuts the east shoreline of the lake. Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream, while Deer, East Lost, West Lost, and Red River Lakes are located downstream. Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River, which is located along the north shoreline, and the Dead River, which is located along the northwest shoreline. The Otter Tail River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Otter Tail Lake has a maximum depth of 120 feet; however, 57% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.2 to 9.0 feet. The majority of the lake is surrounded by residential and commercial development. State owned public water accesses are located on the north, northeast, and southwest shorelines. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with gravel. The lake contains large, shallow flats along most of its perimeter. Because of the abundant sand substrate, areas of submerged aquatic vegetation are present but sporadic. A few remnant stands of hardstem bulrush remain and are located adjacent to the undeveloped parcels. These areas are important components to the lake. They provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat during all stages of life and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Bulrush beds are natural shoreline stabilizers, reducing erosion caused from wave action and they can even absorb pollutants from the water. Because of their ecological value, bulrush may not be removed without a DNR permit. Otter Tail Lake is a very popular lake for both open water and winter angling. Although it is known primarily for the excellent Walleye angling, Otter Tail Lake is one of the few lakes in the area that supports a quality Yellow Perch fishery. It is also known as a trophy Northern Pike fishery, particularly among winter spear fishermen. A Lake Sturgeon re-introduction plan was implemented in 2002 when yearling Lake Sturgeon were stocked into Otter Tail Lake. The objective of the re-introduction plan is to re-establish a self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon population in the Otter Tail River system. Lake Sturgeon fingerlings were stocked on an annual basis from 2004 to 2019. Lake Sturgeon ranged in length from 26.0 to 42.0 inches with an average length and weight of 33.6 inches and 5.1 pounds. A moderate density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 15.6 to 34.4 inches with an average length and weight of 24.8 inches and 3.5 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 25.7 inches at five years of age. An experimental minimum length limit regulation for Northern Pike was implemented on Otter Tail Lake in May of 2003. All Northern Pike less than 30.0-inches in length must be immediately returned to the water. Ten percent of the pike were 30.0 inches or greater in length. Yellow Perch size structure and abundance has declined in recent surveys. Ten percent of the Yellow Perch were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Walleye abundance also declined in this survey due to several poor year classes; however, the Walleye population remains healthy. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.1 to 28.2 inches with an average length and weight of 16.6 inches and 1.4 pounds. The 2018 and 2021 year classes are very strong and should provide good Walleye angling now and in the future. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.1 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in Otter Tail Lake 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 eating. Releasing medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and should provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. Otter Tail Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2016. 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.

Otter Tail Lake is a 13,725 acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County. The city of Ottertail, MN abuts the east shoreline of the lake. Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream, while Deer, East Lost, West Lost, and Red River Lakes are located downstream. Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River, which is located along the north shoreline, and the Dead River, which is located along the northwest shoreline. The Otter Tail River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Otter Tail Lake has a maximum depth of 120 feet; however, 57% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2018 survey was 9.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.2 to 8.3 feet. The majority of the lake is surrounded by residential and commercial development. State owned public water accesses are located on the north, northeast, and southwest shorelines. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with gravel. The lake contains large, shallow flats along most of its perimeter. Because of the abundant sand substrate, areas of submerged aquatic vegetation are present but sporadic. A few remnant stands of hardstem bulrush remain and are located adjacent to the undeveloped parcels. These areas are important components to the lake. They provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat during all stages of life and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Bulrush beds are natural shoreline stabilizers, reducing erosion caused from wave action and they can even absorb pollutants from the water. Because of their ecological value, bulrush may not be removed without a DNR permit. A Lake Sturgeon re-introduction plan was implemented in 2002 when yearling Lake Sturgeon were stocked into Otter Tail Lake. The objective of the re-introduction plan is to re-establish a self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon population in the Otter Tail River system. Lake Sturgeon fingerlings have been stocked on an annual basis since 2004 and will be stocked through 2022. The Lake Sturgeon sampled in a 2018 fall survey ranged in length from 21.9 to 57.1 inches with an average length and weight of 41.3 inches and 17.1 pounds. Otter Tail Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2016. 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.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass in Otter Tail. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Otter Tail has a maximum depth of 120 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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