Rose

Rose Lake is 103 acre, moderately fertile lake located in southwest Otter Tail County, approximately three miles west of Dalton, MN. The Pomme de Terre River flows through the lake, and a dam at the outlet maintains lake depth. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of the lake is 37 feet, and 51% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading, which is a measure of water clarity, was 10.0 feet in the 2007 survey. Previous secchi disk readings were 6.5 feet in 1974 and 15.0 feet in 1984. The lake is largely undeveloped, and there is no public access. Anglers can expect to catch bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike. Submerged aquatic vegetation is dense in shallow areas. Hardstem bulrush, wild rice and cattails are present in several areas around the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines from erosion and can actually absorb and break down pollutants. Because of their ecological importance, bulrush and cattails may not be removed without a DNR permit. Walleye are present in low numbers, and private parties stocked the lake with fingerlings in 1999 and 2006. Only two walleye were sampled in the 2007 survey measuring 6.1 and 22.1 inches. MNDNR does not stock the lake due to the lack of a public access. Northern pike from gill nets ranged in length from 14.4 - 29.1 inches, with a mean length and weight of 22.1 inches and 2.3 pounds. The bluegill trap net catch rate decreased from 129.8 per net in 1984 to 39.0 per net in 2007. Mean length of bluegill measured from trap nets was 5.3 inches, and 14% were seven inches or greater in length. Fifteen largemouth bass were sampled in trap nets, ranging in length from 6.1 - 17.1 inches, with a mean length and weight of 9.7 inches and 0.8 pounds. Anglers can help maintain the quality of angling 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.

Netting results indicate that northern pike, bluegill, and largemouth bass catch rates exceed both the state and local medians. The northern pike catch rate and average weight have both increased in the last 10 years. The yellow perch catch rate has declined by 67%, possibly due to an increase in predator fish. The bluegill catch rate has increased by 25%, but the average weight per fish has remained constant. The largemouth bass catch rate has increased. Local bass fishermen state that 2 lb. bass can be caught with some consistency.

Test net catch rates indicate that sunfish are present in high numbers. Northern pike, yellow perch, and yellow bullheads are present in average numbers. The various other species sampled in the test nets are present in low abundances.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Rose. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Rose has a maximum depth of 37 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rose is from 2007. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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