McDonald

Schwartz Lake is a 489-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles west of Dent, MN. Schwartz Lake is connected to Big McDonald Lake via a shallow channel along the northwest shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 33 feet; however, 60% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 11.0 to 13.6 feet. Shoreline development is limited to the south shoreline. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Areas of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located throughout the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail 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 nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A spring trapnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch and length data indicate that an abundant Black Crappie population with a high quality size structure exists in Schwartz Lake. Black Crappies ranged in length from 7.4 to 13.9 inches with an average length of 11.4 inches. Eighty-four percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length and 36% were 12.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.8 inches at five years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing 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 more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Schwartz Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. 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.

Schwartz Lake is a 489-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles west of Dent, MN. Schwartz Lake is connected to Big McDonald Lake via a shallow channel along the northwest shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 33 feet; however, 60% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline development is limited to the south shoreline. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Areas of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located throughout the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail 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 nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Schwartz Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie are two of the dominant gamefish species. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that exists. Special spring assessments were conducted to analyze these populations. A spring trapnetting assessment was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. The Black Crappie population is very abundant and possesses a good size structure. Sixty-seven percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Age data indicate that the 2011 year class is strong and should provide good crappie angling opportunities for several years. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.3 inches at five years of age. A spring electrofishing assessment was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. Nineteen Largemouth Bass were sampled with 23 percent measuring 15.0 inches or greater in length. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 2.9 to 16.6 inches with an average length of 10.2 inches. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 15.0 inches at six years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing 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 more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.

Schwartz Lake is a 489-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles west of Dent, MN. Schwartz Lake is connected to Big McDonald Lake via a shallow channel along the northwest shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 33 feet; however, 60% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2006 lake survey was 11.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 11.0 to 13.6 feet. The MN DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Schwartz Lake is included in lake class 25; other area lakes in this same classification include Beers, Franklin, Jolly Ann, South Lida, and Stuart. Shoreline development is limited to primarily the south shoreline. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Areas of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located throughout the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail 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 nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Schwartz Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that exists. A high-density northern pike population exists. The test-net catch rate exceeded the upper limit of the expected range for similar lakes. Data indicate that reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 12.4 to 29.6 inches with a mean length and weight of 17.3 inches and 1.0 pounds. Data indicate that a high-density largemouth bass population also exists. Length data indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass in the test-net sample ranged in length from 9.1 to 15.5 inches with a mean length and weight of 12.2 inches and 1.0 pounds. The bluegill test-net catch rate exceeded the upper limit of the expected range for similar lakes. Bluegill abundance has historically been high. Sixty-three percent of the bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing 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 Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, and Bluegill in McDonald. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

McDonald has a maximum depth of 33 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in McDonald is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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