East Loon

Loon Lake is a 1,048-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County. The town of Vergas, MN abuts the northeast shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The lake has a maximum depth of 105 feet; however, 56% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The lake is composed of several distinct basins, all connected by narrow passages. The Secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 11.0 feet. Previous Secchi disk readings ranged from 6.8 to 19.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Loon Lake is developed. The development consists primarily of homes, cottages, and resorts. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of County Road 35 along the northeast shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent plants (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) are prevalent throughout the 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 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 an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Loon 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, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the quality and quantity of suitable habitat that is available for these species. A targeted survey (special gill netting) was conducted in July 2025 to assess the Northern Pike and Walleye populations of Loon Lake. A high-density Northern Pike population exists. Northern Pike abundance has historically been high and size structure poor. Pike ranged in length from 10.0 to 29.8 inches with a mean length and weight of 19.4 inches and 1.5 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 22.2 inches at four years of age. The Walleye population continues to be sustained with the stocking of carry-over (adult) fish. Walleyes ranged in length from 11.8 to 28.9 inches with a mean length and weight of 18.1 inches and 2.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.8 inches at four years of age. There are no existing special or experimental harvest regulations on Loon Lake. 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. Loon Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2018. 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.

Loon Lake is a 1,048-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County. The town of Vergas, MN abuts the northeast shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The lake has a maximum depth of 105 feet; however, 56% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The lake is composed of several distinct basins, all connected by narrow passages. The secchi disk reading during the 2019 survey was 19.8 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 6.8 to 14.5 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Loon Lake is developed. The development consists primarily of homes, cottages, and resorts. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of County Road 35 along the northeast shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent plants (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) are prevalent throughout the 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 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 an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Loon 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, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the quality and quantity of suitable habitat that is available for these species. A high-density Northern Pike population exists. Northern Pike abundance has historically been high and size structure poor. Pike ranged in length from 14.2 to 35.2 inches with an average length and weight of 19.4 inches and 1.7 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 22.4 inches at six years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing survey indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 4.6 to 19.0 inches with an average length and weight of 13.4 inches and 1.5 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 14.5 inches at five years of age. Bluegill abundance has historically remained at a moderate to high level. Bluegill size structure has improved from previous surveys. Thirty-one percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length and 2% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.6 inches at seven years of age. Walleyes ranged in length from 14.0 to 27.8 inches with an average length and weight of 18.8 inches and 2.4 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.3 inches at four 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 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. Loon Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2018. 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 the nearshore fish community was conducted on September 7, 2016 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations 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 all 14 stations with one site sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at six stations, and conditions prevented the use of seines at four sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 20 native species of fish including species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Least Darter). Data from this survey is combined with data from a standard game fish survey completed in June 2013 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) that describes the overall health of the lake. The FIBI score for East Loon Lake based on this survey is above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes and indicates a healthy fish community. Data from this survey will be included as part of a process to assess the condition of surface waters of the Otter Tail River watershed.

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

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

East Loon has a maximum depth of 105 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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