Fish

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Fish Lake was conducted on June 24-June 26, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) staff. Sampling sites 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 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at six stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. 12 trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 9 species of fish. Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number and comprised by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (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. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Banded Killifish), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Fish Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Fish Lake is an 888-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately five miles northeast of Fergus Falls, MN. Fish Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. There are two intermittent inlets and one outlet. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of is 19 feet; however, the majority of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.0 to 9.7 feet. The majority of the shoreline on Fish Lake remains undeveloped. The development that exists (homes and cabins) is located primarily along the north shoreline. The undeveloped shoreline is composed of mixed hardwoods. A DNR owned public water access is located along the north shoreline off of County Road 1. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and silt. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered along various shorelines of the lake. 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 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. 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. Fish Lake is a popular angling lake because of its proximity to Fergus Falls. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie are the most sought after game-fish species. Crappie were collected as part of a broad research project investigating Black Crappie populations across Minnesota. Springtime trap netting (172 individuals) and angling (12 individuals) surveys collected a total of 184 fish. Individuals averaged 8.8 inches with the largest individual being 11.6 inches. Growth was modest and individuals averaged 7.3 and 9.9 inches at age 3 and 6, respectively. Maximum age was 10. The 2015, 2020, and 2022 year classes are strong and will provide good crappie angling. Sixty-nine percent of fish sampled were 8.0 inches or longer. Age and catch data from recent surveys indicate that Black Crappie recruitment can be substantial; however, it is inconsistent, resulting in year class strength that is extremely variable. Consequently, fluctuations in population indices can occur. In 2025, a special regulation reducing the daily limit of crappie to 5 was implemented. 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. Fish 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.

Fish Lake is an 888-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately five miles northeast of Fergus Falls, MN. Fish Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. There are two intermittent inlets and one outlet. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of is 19 feet; however, the vast majority of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2023 survey was 9.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.0 to 9.7 feet. The majority of the shoreline on Fish Lake remains undeveloped. The development that exists (homes and cabins) is located primarily along the north shoreline. The undeveloped shoreline is composed primarily of mixed hardwoods. A DNR owned public water access is located along the north shoreline off of County Road 1. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and silt. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered along various shorelines of the lake. 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 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. 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 standard survey was conducted in 2023 to analyze the fish community. Fish Lake is a popular angling lake due to its close proximity to Fergus Falls. The most sought after fish species are Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie. Walleye abundance was the highest recorded for this lake. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.9 to 22.4 inches with an average length and weight of 16.0 inches and 1.5 pounds. The 2021 year class is very strong and should provide excellent Walleye angling for several years. Walleyes exhibit fast growth with an average length of 17.0 inches at three years of age. Northern Pike abundance and size structure have historically fluctuated. Northern Pike ranged in length from 16.1 to 25.4 inches with an average length and weight of 21.3 inches and 2.0 pounds. Northern Pike growth is also fast with an average length of 20.9 inches at three years of age. Bluegill abundance was also the highest recorded for this lake. The long term trend has been for an increase in Bluegill abundance. A quality Bluegill size structure exists with 36% of the Bluegill sample measuring 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.1 inches at seven years of age. A reduced bag limit harvest regulation (5 fish daily bag) was implemented in 2021. The management goal of this regulation is to maintain or improve the quality of the Bluegill size structure. Previous special surveys have indicated that the Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie populations have also been historically abundant with excellent size structures, consistently good reproduction, and above-average growth. Anglers can also 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. Fish 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.

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

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

Fish has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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