Jolly Ann

Jolly Ann Lake is a 256-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately eleven miles southeast of Dalton, MN. Jolly Ann Lake is located within the Pomme de Terre River Watershed, and an unnavigable outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land. Jolly Ann Lake has a maximum depth of 89 feet; however, 51% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 16.2 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 8.5 to 12.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic vegetation (hardstem bulrush and common cattail) is prevalent 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 from erosion and can absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, 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. Jolly Ann 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, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present. The Walleye population is moderately abundant. Walleyes ranged in length from 6.4 to 26.0 inches with an average length and weight of 19.6 inches and 2.5 pounds. Walleyes attain a mean length of 15.6 inches at three years of age. The Walleye population is sustained by MN DNR Fisheries stocking Walleye fry on an every other year basis. Largemouth Bass are also moderately abundant. Age and length data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 3.0 to 18.6 inches. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 13.9 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike population characteristics have historically remained stable. Northern Pike abundance has remained at a moderate density and natural reproduction has continued to occur at a consistently low level. Northern Pike ranged in length from 17.1 to 27.2 inches with an average length and weight of 22.6 inches and 2.3 pounds. Northern Pike reach an average length of 22.5 inches at three years of age. Bluegill abundance, size structure, and reproduction levels have historically fluctuated. Twelve percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length while only 1% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.7 inches at five years of age. The are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Jolly Ann Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing 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. Jolly Ann Lake was listed as infested with Zebra Mussels in 2020. 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Jolly Ann Lake was conducted on July 14, 2025, by Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each site 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 5 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 5 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including 6 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e.,Pugnose Shiner and Least Darter) and 1 that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a September 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Jolly Ann Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score (52) which is above the general use impairment threshold (45) for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Jolly Ann Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Pomme De Terre watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Jolly Ann by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Jolly Ann Lake was conducted on July 2, 2018 by Fergus Falls 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 stations, but four stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at two stations, boat seining was used at three locations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2018 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (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 Pugnose Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Green Sunfish). 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. Data from this survey indicates Jolly Ann Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Pomme de Terre Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Jolly Ann has a maximum depth of 89 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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