South Lida

South Lida Lake is an 856-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. South Lida Lake is connected to North Lida Lake by a navigable culvert under State Highway 108 along the north shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest. The maximum depth is 48 feet; however, 42% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2021 survey was 9.2 feet. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 2.9 to 9.3 feet. The south and west shorelines of South Lida Lake have been extensively developed with homes and cabins. A majority of the east shoreline is located within the boundaries of Maplewood State Park. A DNR owned public water access is located within the state park along the southeast shoreline. A public swimming beach and campground are also located along the east shoreline in the state park. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered along the undeveloped sections of shoreline. 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. A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Northern Pike populations. Walleye abundance has declined in recent surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 15.3 to 22.5 inches with an average length and weight of 19.9 inches and 2.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 13.8 inches at five years of age. Northern Pike abundance has increased in recent surveys. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 16.7 to 33.4 inches with an average length and weight of 21.2 inches and 2.1 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 23.8 inches at five years of age. Harvest regulations for Walleye, Black Crappie, and Bluegill have been implemented on South Lida Lake. The Walleye regulation is a 17.0 to 26.0 inch protected slot limit with one over 26.0 inches allowed in possession. The Black Crappie regulation is an 11-inch minimum length limit. The Bluegill regulation is a 10 fish daily bag limit. The intent of these regulations is to improve and maintain the size structures of these populations. Anglers can also 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 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 Lida Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2014. 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 Lida Lake is an 856-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. South Lida Lake is connected to North Lida Lake by a navigable culvert under State Highway 108 along the north shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest. The maximum depth is 48 feet; however, 42% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 2.9 to 9.3 feet. The south and west shorelines of South Lida Lake have been extensively developed with homes and cabins. A majority of the east shoreline is located within the boundaries of Maplewood State Park. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located within the state park along the southeast shoreline. A public swimming beach and campground are also located along the east shoreline in the state park. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered along the undeveloped sections of shoreline. 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. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2022. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. A special spring trapnetting survey was conducted to collect data on the Bluegill population, which will be used for regulation evaluation purposes in future surveys. The Bluegill population is extremely abundant and has a quality size structure. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Forty-eight percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.1 inches at seven years of age. Harvest regulations for Walleye and Black Crappie have also been implemented on South Lida Lake. The Walleye regulation is a 17.0 to 26.0 inch protected slot length limit with one fish over 26.0 inches allowed in possession. The Black Crappie regulation is an 11-inch minimum length limit. The intent of these regulations is to maintain the size structures of these populations. Anglers can also 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 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 Lida Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2014. 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 Lida Lake is an 856-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. South Lida Lake is connected to North Lida Lake by a navigable culvert under State Highway 108 along the north shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest. The maximum depth is 48 feet; however, 42% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 2.9 to 9.3 feet. The south and west shorelines of South Lida Lake have been extensively developed with homes and cabins. A majority of the east shoreline is located within the boundaries of Maplewood State Park. A DNR owned public water access is located within the state park along the southeast shoreline. A public swimming beach and campground are also located along the east shoreline in the state park. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered along the undeveloped sections of shoreline. 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. A spring trapnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. In 1997, an 11.0-inch minimum length limit for Black Crappie was implemented. The objective of the regulation was to maintain or improve the size structure of the Black Crappie population. Data collected in Black Crappie surveys since 1998 indicate that the regulation has been successful in maintaining a quality population. Black Crappie are abundant and the size structure is good. Age data indicate that reproduction is normally good as seven year classes were sampled. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.2 to 12.7 inches. Seven percent of the crappies were 11.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 11.4 inches at six years of age. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2022. A 17.0 to 26.0-inch protected slot length limit with one fish over 26.0 inches allowed in possession for Walleye was implemented in 2005. The objective of these regulations is to maintain the quality of these species respective size structures. Anglers can also 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 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 Lida Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2014. 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 Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, and Rock Bass in South Lida. 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 South Lida. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

South Lida has a maximum depth of 48 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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