Lizzie (north portion)

Lizzie Lake is a 4,035-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately six miles northeast of Pelican Rapids, MN. Lizzie Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed. Lizzie Lake is connected to Pelican Lake and Prairie Lake via the Pelican River. The Pelican River inlet is located along the northwest shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Lizzie Lake is connected to Crystal Lake by a navigable culvert under County Road 31. Lizzie Lake is also connected to North Lida Lake by an unnavigable culvert under County Road 4. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Lizzie Lake is 66 feet; however, 75% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 25.0 feet. Previous Secchi disk readings ranged from 6.5 to 22.0 feet. A majority of the north and west shorelines of Lizzie Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the west shoreline of the lake. Shoreline development is limited in the southern portion of the lake. Hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and phragmites are prevalent throughout this section of the lake. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are also scattered along various shorelines of the northern portion of the lake and around several mid-lake islands. 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 an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Lizzie Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Walleye are the dominant gamefish species present. Northern Pike are extremely abundant. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 11.1 to 32.0 inches with an average length and weight of 19.7 inches and 1.6 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 21.1 inches at four years of age. A balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 5.1 to 18.4 inches. Catch and age data indicate that Smallmouth Bass abundance has been increasing and that reproduction is consistently good. Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 6.9 to 19.6 inches. Smallmouth Bass growth is fast with an average length of 13.3 inches at four years of age. Bluegills continue to remain abundant in Lizzie Lake. Thirty-six percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length and 1% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.1 inches at seven years of age. Walleye abundance has been at a lower level in recent surveys compared to historical abundance. Walleyes ranged in length from 13.0 to 26.1 inches with an average length and weight of 19.4 inches and 3.4 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 13.7 inches at four years of age. There are no special or experimental harvest regulations in effect for Lizzie 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 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. Lizzie Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. 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. Lizzie Lake is also a popular waterfowl hunting lake. Many hunters pursue ducks and geese in the southern portion of the lake (Rush Lake). Rush Lake is annually designated as a DNR waterfowl feeding and resting area from September 1 through the final day of the duck hunting season. Operation of motorized watercraft in Rush Lake during that time period is prohibited.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lizzie (north portion) Lake was conducted on July 15th-July 18th, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Eighteen 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. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-three species of fish including ten species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from August 2022 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Lizzie Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to 2016 findings which indicated that Lizzie Lake is fully supporting aquatic life but differ from a 2007 survey in which the FIBI score fell below the impairment threshold. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Lizzie Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Lizzie Lake is a 4,035-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately six miles northeast of Pelican Rapids, MN. Lizzie Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed. Lizzie Lake is connected to Pelican Lake and Prairie Lake via the Pelican River. The Pelican River inlet is located along the northwest shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Lizzie Lake is connected to Crystal Lake by a navigable culvert under County Road 31. Lizzie Lake is also connected to North Lida Lake by an unnavigable culvert under County Road 4. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Lizzie Lake is 66 feet; however, 75% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 15.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 6.5 to 22.0 feet. A majority of the north and west shorelines of Lizzie Lake have been developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the west shoreline of the lake. Shoreline development is limited in the southern portion of the lake. Hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and phragmites are prevalent throughout this section of the lake. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are also scattered along various shorelines of the northern portion of the lake and around several mid-lake islands. 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. Lizzie Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Walleye are the dominant gamefish species present. Northern Pike abundance has remained stable. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 16.1 to 27.3 inches with an average length and weight of 20.3 inches and 1.6 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 21.6 inches at four years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing survey in 2019 indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 3.9 to 18.4 inches with an average length and weight of 13.7 inches and 1.6 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 15.0 inches at five years of age. Catch and age data indicate that Smallmouth Bass abundance has been increasing and that reproduction is consistently good. Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 5.5 to 20.1 inches. Smallmouth Bass attain an average length of 13.7 inches at four years of age. Bluegill abundance has remained stable over the recent series of surveys. Forty-two percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length and 15% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.8 inches at eight years of age. Walleye abundance has been at a lower level in recent surveys compared to historical abundance. Walleyes ranged in length from 11.5 to 26.3 inches with an average length and weight of 17.8 inches and 2.1 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 13.7 inches at four years of age. In 1999, the DNR constructed and placed Smallmouth Bass spawning structures in Lizzie Lake to increase the available spawning habitat for that species. Anglers can also 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 more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that 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. Lizzie Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. 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. Lizzie Lake is also a popular waterfowl hunting lake. Many hunters pursue ducks and geese in the southern portion of the lake (Rush Lake). Rush Lake is annually designated as a DNR waterfowl feeding and resting area from September 1 through the final day of the duck hunting season. Operation of motorized watercraft in Rush Lake during that time period is prohibited.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Lizzie (north portion). See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Lizzie (north portion). Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Lizzie (north portion) has a maximum depth of 66 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lizzie (north portion) is from 2025.

Yes — Lizzie (north portion) has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.