Star

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Star Lake, was conducted beginning in June, 2025, and was completed in August, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) 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 24 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 11 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at eight stations. Five stations were not seined due to stations being too deep to stand and density of vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnows and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 12 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill and Bowfin comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2024 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 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. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Star Lake is fully supporting aquatic life, but vulnerable to future impairments. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Star Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Star Lake is a 4,721-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles west of Dent, MN. Star Lake is connected to Dead and Round Lakes via non-navigable streams. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Extensive marsh areas are located in the south bay and the west arm of the lake. The maximum depth is 94 feet; however, 59% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2024 survey was 22.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 5.8 to 14.0 feet. Development is scattered around the entire shoreline of Star Lake. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. DNR owned public water accesses are located along the north and east shorelines. Stands of hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are scattered along the shoreline of the entire lake; however, the largest stands are located in the south bay and the west arm. Emergent aquatic plants 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 2024 survey was the lowest recorded for Star Lake. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.2 to 23.9 inches with an average length and weight of 17.0 inches and 1.9 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.7 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has remained high in recent surveys. Age and length data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 15.6 to 25.8 inches with an average length and weight of 19.0 inches and 1.4 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 21.4 inches at five years of age. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2005. That reduced bag regulation was amended on March 1, 2025 to a 5 sunfish daily bag limit. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for Black Crappie (5 per day) was implemented on March 1, 2025. The goals of these regulations are to maintain or improve the size structure of the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations in Star Lake. Anglers can also 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 has enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Star Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. 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.

Star Lake is a 4,721-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles west of Dent, MN. Star Lake is connected to Dead and Round Lakes via non-navigable streams. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Extensive marsh areas are located in the south bay and the west arm of the lake. The maximum depth is 94 feet; however, 59% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 5.8 to 14.0 feet. Development is scattered around the entire shoreline of Star Lake. Homes, cabins, and resorts compose the majority of the development. DNR owned public water accesses are located along the north and east shorelines. Stands of hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are scattered along the shoreline of the entire lake; however, the largest stands are located in the south bay and the west arm. Emergent aquatic plants 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 reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2005 to maintain the high quality size structure of the Bluegill population. Catch and length data from ensuing special spring surveys indicate that the regulation is maintaining an abundant Bluegill population with a high quality size structure. Forty-five percent of the Bluegill sample was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegill growth rates are excellent with an average length of 8.2 inches at six years of age. The 10 sunfish bag limit was amended on March 1, 2025 to a 5 sunfish daily bag limit. Anglers can also 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 has enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Star Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. 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 Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill in Star. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Star has a maximum depth of 94 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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