Scalp

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Scalp Lake was conducted on July 31, 2025, by Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 10 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including 7 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Least Darter, Blackchin Shiner and Banded Killifish) and one species tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish- based (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website site. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Scalp Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score (79) that exceeds the exceptional use threshold (64) determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Scalp Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Ottertail River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Scalp Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Lake Seven is a 243-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles north of Vergas, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of mixed hardwoods. An unnavigable inlet is located along the north shoreline which connects to Lake Six. An unnavigable outlet with a weir is located along the south shoreline. Lake Seven has a maximum depth is 90 feet; however, 27% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 18.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 15.5 to 24.8 feet. Development is scattered around the entire shoreline of Lake Seven. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located on the north shoreline. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are non-existent. A cooperative project between MN DNR and the Lake Seven Lake Association was completed in the fall of 2025 to reduce erosion effects around the island in the western portion of the lake. The project included installation of erosion barriers around the island and restorative plantings of willow shrubs. Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Lake Seven. The Walleye population is moderately abundant. Walleyes ranged in length from 6.3 to 24.1 inches with an average length and weight of 14.7 inches and 2.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.2 inches at four years of age. MN DNR Fisheries sustains a viable Walleye population in Lake by stocking Walleye fingerlings on an every-other year basis. A low-density Northern Pike population exists with an excellent size structure. Northern Pike ranged in length from 14.9 to 36.9 inches with an average length and weight of 22.8 inches and 3.1 pounds. Northern Pike growth rates are fast with an average length of 26.3 inches at four years of age. Bluegills are extremely abundant as reproduction remains persistently good. Forty-three percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 13% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Lake Seven. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing on Lake Seven by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large 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. Lake Seven 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.

Lake Seven is a 243-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles north of Vergas, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of mixed hardwoods. An unnavigable inlet is located along the north shoreline and an unnavigable outlet is located along the south shoreline. The maximum depth is 90 feet; however, 27% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2019 survey was 17.9 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 15.5 to 24.8 feet. Development is scattered around the entire shoreline of Lake Seven. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public access is located on the north shoreline. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are not prevalent. Walleye and Northern Pike are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Lake Seven. Walleyes ranged in length from 13.3 to 28.7 inches with an average length and weight of 18.6 inches and 2.4 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.2 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike ranged in length from 22.2 to 38.8 inches with an average length and weight of 27.4 inches and 5.2 pounds. Northern Pike exhibit good growth rates with an average length of 23.9 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing on Lake Seven 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. Lake Seven 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.

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

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

Scalp has a maximum depth of 90 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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