Stalker

Stalker Lake is a 1,280-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County, approximately seven miles southeast of Underwood, MN. Stalker Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest interspersed with areas of agricultural land. Stalker Lake has a maximum depth of 95 feet; however, 45% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The morphometry of Stalker Lake is unique; numerous humps and bars exist throughout the lake. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 lake survey was 7.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.5 to 7.9 feet. The shoreline of Stalker Lake is moderately developed. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice are prevalent throughout the entire lake. 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 increased slightly from the previous three surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.5 to 24.6 inches with an average length and weight of 17.5 inches and 2.1 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.9 inches at three years of age. A moderate density Northern Pike population exists and age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 17.4 to 29.6 inches with an average length and weight of 22.6 inches and 2.5 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 23.6 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium and 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. Stalker Lake was listed as infested with flowering rush in 2018. 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.

Stalker Lake is a 1,280-acre lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately seven miles southeast of Underwood, MN. Stalker Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest interspersed with areas of agricultural land. Stalker Lake has a maximum depth of 95 feet; however, 45% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The morphometry of Stalker Lake is unique; numerous humps and bars exist throughout the lake. The secchi disk reading during the 2018 lake survey was 7.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.5 to 7.9 feet. The shoreline of Stalker Lake is moderately developed. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice are prevalent throughout the entire lake. 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. Stalker Lake can be ecologically classified as a 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 abundance of these species can be attributed to the abundance of quality spawning habitat that is available. Walleyes ranged in length from 10.0 to 24.9 inches with an average length and weight of 18.3 inches and 2.4 pounds. A moderate density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 17.0 to 29.2 inches with an average length and weight of 22.3 inches and 2.5 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 22.5 inches at four years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists with a moderate level of reproduction. Bass ranged in length from 6.9 to 20.7 inches with an average length and weight of 15.4 inches and 2.3 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 15.2 inches at five years of age. An abundant Bluegill population exists. Bluegill size structure has remained stable with fifteen percent of the sample measuring 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.7 inches at five years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Stalker Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium and 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Stalker Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff starting July 9, 2018. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 18 sites with six sites sampled from the boat. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four sites, a 15-foot seine was used at seven sites, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation or deep water prevented the use of seines at six sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 23 native species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and three native species that are tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2017 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (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. 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. The FIBI score for Stalker Lake from this survey is above an impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Pomme de Terre River Watershed assessment of surface waters process completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Stalker has a maximum depth of 95 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Stalker is from 2022.

Yes — Stalker has confirmed flowering rush. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.