Marion

Marion Lake is a 1,664-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles southwest of Perham, MN. Marion Lake is included in the Otter Tail River Watershed. The immediate watershed is primarily composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The lake is composed of two basins which are separated by a shallow peninsula. Boats can navigate between the basins using a narrow channel along the north shore. The west basin has a maximum depth of 30 feet while the east basin has a maximum depth of 62 feet. Forty-one percent of the total lake area is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading was 13.1 feet. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 9.0 to 15.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Marion Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the development. A state-owned concrete public water access is located along the southeast shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel and rubble. Stands of emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) are located in various areas throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can absorb and breakdown 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. Marion Lake can be ecologically classified as a Walleye-Bass-Panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. Walleye abundance has declined over the recent series of surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.7 to 26.2 inches with an average length and weight of 15.2 inches and 1.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.1 inches at four years of age. The Walleye population is sustained predominantly by fingerling stocking. Northern Pike abundance has remained stable and pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 16.1 to 34.8 inches with an average length and weight of 21.4 inches and 2.4 pounds. Northern Pike growth rates are very fast with an average length of 28.2 inches at five years of age. An extremely abundant Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction occurs at a consistently high level. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 6.1 to 19.6 inches. Bass growth is slow with an average length of 12.9 inches at five years of age. Catch and length data indicate that Bluegills are very abundant and possess an excellent size structure. Sixty-one percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 27% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.6 inches at eight years of age. There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Marion Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large 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. Marion Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2024. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native 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.

Marion Lake is a 1,664-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles southwest of Perham, MN. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The lake is composed of two basins which are separated by a peninsula. Boats can navigate between the basins using a narrow channel along the north shore. The west basin has a maximum depth of 30 feet while the east basin has a maximum depth of 62 feet. Forty-one percent of the lake area is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2021 survey was 13.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 9.0 to 15.0 feet. The shoreline of Marion Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. A state owned public access is located along the southeast shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel and rubble. Stands of emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) are located in various areas throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can absorb and breakdown 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. Marion Lake can be ecologically classified as a Walleye-Bass-Panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. Walleye abundance has remained stable over the recent series of surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.1 to 24.3 inches with an average length and weight of 17.1 inches and 2.0 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.8 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has also remained stable. Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 17.4 to 32.2 inches with an average length and weight of 23.4 inches and 2.9 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 26.4 inches at five years of age. An abundant Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 8.9 to 16.2 inches with an average length and weight of 12.4 inches and 1.1 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 13.4 inches at five years of age. Catch data indicate that Bluegills are very abundant. Twenty-nine percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length, while only 2% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.0 inches at seven years of age. 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. Marion Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native 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.

Marion Lake is a 1,664-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles southwest of Perham, MN. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The lake is composed of two basins which are separated by a peninsula. Boats can navigate between the basins using a narrow channel along the north shore. The west basin has a maximum depth of 30 feet while the east basin has a maximum depth of 62 feet. Forty-one percent of the lake area is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading was 12.3 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 9.0 to 15.0 feet. The shoreline of Marion Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. A state owned public access is located along the southeast shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel and rubble. Stands of emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) are located in various areas throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can absorb and breakdown 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. Marion Lake can be ecologically classified as a Walleye-Bass-Panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. Walleye abundance is at the second highest level recorded for this lake. Walleyes ranged in length from 10.2 to 22.4 inches with an average length and weight of 15.1 inches and 1.3 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.6 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has remained stable over the recent series of surveys. Pike ranged in length from 14.6 to 27.6 inches with an average length and weight of 22.0 inches and 2.3 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 23.8 inches at five years of age. Catch data from recent surveys indicate that an abundant Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 4.9 to 15.4 inches. Bass attain an average length of 13.2 inches at five years of age. Catch data indicate that Bluegills are very abundant. Twelve percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.1 inches at six years of age. 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.

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

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

Marion has a maximum depth of 62 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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