Leek

Leek (Trowbridge) Lake is a 609-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately three miles northwest of Vergas, MN. Leek Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. Two small intermittent inlets are located along the southeast shoreline and one intermittent outlet is located along the north shoreline. Both inlets and the outlet are not navigable. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with mixed hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Leek Lake is 76 feet; however, 45% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2019 lake survey was 15.5 feet. Previous Secchi disk readings ranged from 6.2 to 13.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline of Leek Lake has been extensively developed. The development consists primarily of homes, cottages, and resorts. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off a township road along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and rubble. The substrate of the bay areas is predominately muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along various shorelines of the lake. Common cattail is prevalent in several of the bays. Plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent aquatic plants 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 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. Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Leek Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. A targeted spring trap netting survey was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population in 2025. Catch data indicate that Black Crappies are very abundant. The 2019 and 2020-year classes are strong and are currently providing excellent angling opportunities. Black Crappies ranged in length from 7.1 to 13.6 inches with an average length of 11.2 inches. Ninety-two percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappie growth rates are fast with an average length of 11.1 inches at five years of age. There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Leek 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. Leek Lake is designated as an infested water. Zebra mussels and flowering rush were documented in 2021 and 2024, respectively. 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.

Leek (Trowbridge) Lake is a 609-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately three miles northwest of Vergas, MN. Leek Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. Two small intermittent inlets are located along the southeast shoreline and one intermittent outlet is located along the north shoreline. Both inlets and the outlet are not navigable. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with mixed hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Leek Lake is 76 feet; however, 45% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2019 lake survey was 15.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 6.2 to 13.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline of Leek Lake has been extensively developed. The development consists primarily of homes, cottages, and resorts. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of a township road along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and rubble. The substrate of the bay areas is predominately muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along various shorelines of the lake. Common cattail is prevalent in several of the bays. Plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent aquatic plants 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 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. Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Leek Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. Leek Lake has historically had a high-density Northern Pike population. Age data indicate that pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 16.5 to 29.8 inches with an average length and weight of 20.9 inches and 2.0 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 22.8 inches at six years of age. A spring trapnetting assessment was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch data indicates that Black Crappies are abundant and the size structure is good. Black Crappies ranged in length from 6.9 to 12.9 inches with a mean length of 10.2 inches. Ninety-three percent of the crappies were 9.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.8 inches at five years of age. Age data indicates that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 7.3 to 19.8 inches with an average length and weight of 13.6 inches and 1.5 pounds, respectively. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 12.3 inches at four years of age. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is also consistently good. Forty-three percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length and 13% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.2 inches at six years of age. Walleyes ranged in length from 14.0 to 24.9 inches with an average length and weight of 19.3 inches and 2.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 16.4 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. Leek Lake is not listed as an infested water. 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.

Leek (Trowbridge) Lake is a 609-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately three miles northwest of Vergas, MN. Leek Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. Two small intermittent inlets are located along the southeast shoreline and one intermittent outlet is located along the north shoreline. Both inlets and the outlet are not navigable. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with mixed hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Leek Lake is 76 feet; however, 45% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2014 lake survey was 13.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 6.2 to 12.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline of Leek Lake has been extensively developed. The development consists primarily of homes, cottages, and resorts. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of a township road along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and rubble. The substrate of the bay areas is predominately muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along various shorelines of the lake. Common cattail is prevalent in several of the bays. Plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent aquatic plants 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. Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant species in the fish community of Leek Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. Leek Lake has historically had a high-density Northern Pike population. Age data indicate that pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 16.6 to 28.9 inches with an average length and weight of 20.4 inches and 1.7 pounds. A spring trapnetting assessment was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch data indicates that Black Crappies are abundant. Seventy percent of the crappies were 9.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.9 inches at five years of age. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Forty-two percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.2 inches at six years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Leek Lake 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.

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

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

Leek has a maximum depth of 76 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Leek is from 2019.

No invasive species are on record for Leek in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.