Jewett

Jewett Lake is a 737-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in west-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles north of Fergus Falls, MN. Jewett Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed; however, there are no natural inlets or outlets connected to the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Jewett Lake is 75 feet; however, 36% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 22.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 7.1 to 14.4 feet. The north and east shorelines of Jewett Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose most of the development. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off the township road along the north shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located along the southwest and southeast shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. 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 large area of hardstem bulrush and common cattail along the southwest shoreline is posted annually as a Largemouth Bass spawning area. Much of this area is located immediately adjacent to an Aquatic Management Area. Restrictions imposed in the spawning area prohibit fishing or motor boating from ice-out to June 30th, inclusive. Suitable spawning habitat for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie in Jewett Lake is primarily limited to this posted spawning area. Jewett Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present. A spring trap netting survey was conducted in 2025 to collect data on the Bluegill population. This was the first targeted assessment for Bluegill on Jewett Lake. Previous Bluegill data was obtained via standard lake survey summer trap netting. Age data indicates that Bluegill reproduction success can be inconsistent in Jewett Lake. This has been reflected through fluctuations in size structure in past surveys. Fish sampled ranged in size from 1.7 to 8.2 inches in length, with 4% of the Bluegills measuring 8.0 inches or greater. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.2 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can 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. Jewett Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2018. 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Jewett Lake was conducted beginning on July 15, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 12 species of fish, including 3 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and 1 species that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Twelve trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 8 species of fish. Bluegill and Hybrid Sunfish comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Yellow Bullhead and Walleye comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a survey conducted in August of 2022 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., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter), 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 Jewett Lake may be adversely impacted by stressors as indicated by an FIBI score near the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings which indicated that Jewett Lake is impaired for biological health. 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. Jewett Lake supports a Walleye fishery, which is bolstered by annual stocking of Walleye fingerlings. Opportunities for Largemouth Bass angling are also available. You can help conserve the Jewett Lake fishery by maintaining natural shorelines, preventing runoff, and leaving aquatic vegetation undisturbed.

Jewett Lake is a 737-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in west-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles north of Fergus Falls, MN. Jewett Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed; however, there are no natural inlets or outlets connected to the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Jewett Lake is 75 feet; however, 36% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 22.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 7.1 to 14.4 feet. The north and east shorelines of Jewett Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of the township road along the north shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located along the southwest and southeast shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. 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 large area of hardstem bulrush and common cattail along the southwest shoreline is posted annually as a Largemouth Bass spawning area. A majority of this area is located immediately adjacent to an Aquatic Management Area. Restrictions imposed in the spawning area prohibit fishing or motor boating from ice-out to June 30th, inclusive. Suitable spawning habitat for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie in Jewett Lake is primarily limited to this posted spawning area. Jewett Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present. Walleyes have historically remained very abundant. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.9 to 23.4 inches with an average length and weight of 17.0 inches and 1.7 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.4 inches at four years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 9.1 to 17.8 inches with an average length and weight of 14.1 inches and 1.6 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 13.3 inches at five years of age. Bluegill abundance and size structure have historically fluctuated. Bluegill abundance is presently at a moderate density. Nineteen percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.1 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can 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. Jewett Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2018. 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 Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and Largemouth Bass in Jewett. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Jewett has a maximum depth of 75 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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