Ten Mile

South Ten Mile Lake is located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles southwest of Dalton, MN. South Ten Mile Lake is a 1,411-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake that is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River inlet is located along the north shoreline while the outlet is located along the south shoreline. The inlet is navigable by boat through a culvert into North Ten Mile Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of South Ten Mile Lake is 51 feet; however, 42% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2024 survey was 11.1 feet. Previous Secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 14.5 feet. The east and west shorelines of South Ten Mile Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A resort is located on the north shoreline. A DNR owned public access is located along the southeast shoreline. Shoreline development has recently increased in the southern portion of the lake. Common cattail and hardstem bulrush are prevalent along the shoreline of this bay. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are also located along the south, west, and east shorelines of the main lake basin. 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 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 cooperative shoreline stabilization project was completed in 1999. The DNR, in conjunction with the lake association and private landowners installed rock rip-rap to stabilize several areas of shoreline that were experiencing varying degrees of erosion. A spring trap netting survey was conducted in 2025 to collect data on the Bluegill population. This was the first survey specifically targeting Bluegill on South Ten Mile Lake. A moderate density Bluegill population exists, with quality fish present as well. Age data indicates that Bluegill recruitment has been inconsistent in recent years. Fish sampled ranged in size from 3.4 to 9.2 inches in length, with 59% of the Bluegills measuring 7.0 inches or greater. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.4 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling on South Ten Mile Lake 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. South Ten Mile Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. 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.

South Ten Mile Lake is located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles southwest of Dalton, MN. South Ten Mile Lake is a 1,411-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake that is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River inlet is located along the north shoreline while the outlet is located along the south shoreline. The inlet is navigable by boat through a culvert into North Ten Mile Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of South Ten Mile Lake is 51 feet; however, 42% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2024 survey was 11.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 14.5 feet. The east and west shorelines of South Ten Mile Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A resort is located on the north shoreline. A DNR owned public access is located along the southeast shoreline. Shoreline development has recently increased in the southern portion of the lake. Common cattail and hardstem bulrush are prevalent along the shoreline of this bay. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are also located along the south, west, and east shorelines of the main lake basin. 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 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 cooperative shoreline stabilization project was completed in 1999. The DNR, in conjunction with the lake association and private landowners installed rock rip-rap to stabilize several areas of shoreline that were experiencing varying degrees of erosion. Walleye have historically been abundant. The 2020, 2021, and 2022 year classes are moderate to strong and should provide good Walleye angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.0 to 25.3 inches with an average length and weight of 15.8 inches and 1.6 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.6 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has increased in recent surveys. Northern Pike ranged in length from 17.2 to 30.8 inches with an average length and weight of 22.4 inches and 2.5 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 23.9 inches at four years of age. Bluegills are abundant and have a high-quality size structure. Forty-two percent of the sample measured 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.9 inches at five years of age. The Smallmouth Bass population is also abundant and has an excellent size structure. Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 8.7 to 19.1 inches. Smallmouth Bass averaged 17.9 inches in length and 3.4 pounds. Smallmouth Bass attain an average length of 14.4 inches at five years of age. Catch data from the spring electrofishing survey indicates that a high-density Largemouth Bass population with an excellent size structure exists. Age data indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 3.3 to 18.2 inches with an average length and weight of 15.6 inches and 2.3 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 14.5 inches at five years of age. A special harvest regulation (21-inch minimum length limit) for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass was implemented in 2001 and modified in 2013 after data analysis and public comment. The current regulation states that all bass 14.0 inches and larger must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. This regulation was implemented in an attempt to improve the size structure of the bass populations. A long-term evaluation indicates that the regulation has been successful for both bass species. Bowfishing for Common Carp is also a popular recreational activity on this lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling on South Ten Mile Lake 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. South Ten Mile Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. 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.

South Ten Mile Lake is located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles southwest of Dalton, MN. South Ten Mile Lake is a 1,411-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake that is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River inlet is located along the north shoreline while the outlet is located along the south shoreline. The inlet is navigable by boat through a culvert into North Ten Mile Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of South Ten Mile Lake is 51 feet; however, 42% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 14.5 feet. The east and west shorelines of South Ten Mile Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A resort is located on the north shoreline. A DNR owned public access is located along the southeast shoreline. Shoreline development has recently increased in the southern portion of the lake. Common cattail and hardstem bulrush are prevalent along the shoreline of this bay. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are also located along the south, west, and east shorelines of the main lake basin. 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 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 cooperative shoreline stabilization project was completed in 1999. The DNR, in conjunction with the lake association and private landowners installed rock rip-rap to stabilize several areas of shoreline that were experiencing varying degrees of erosion. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. Catch data indicate that South Ten Mile Lake has a high-density Largemouth Bass population with an excellent size structure. Age data indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 2.6 to 18.0 inches with an average length and weight of 15.9 inches and 2.3 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 14.5 inches at five years of age. A special harvest regulation (21-inch minimum length limit) for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass was implemented in 2001 and modified in 2013 after data analysis and public comment. The current regulation states that all bass 14.0 inches and larger must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. This regulation was implemented in an attempt to improve the size structure of the bass populations. A long-term evaluation of the Largemouth Bass population indicates that the regulation has been successful for that species. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing in South Ten Mile Lake 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. South Ten Mile Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. 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 Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie in Ten Mile. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Ten Mile has a maximum depth of 51 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ten Mile is from 2024.

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