Orwell

Orwell Reservoir is a United States Army Corps of Engineers flood control impoundment. It is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Fergus Falls, MN in Otter Tail County. Construction of the dam on the Otter Tail River was completed in 1952, and the reservoir encompasses 782-acres at normal pool. Because the main purpose of the reservoir is flood control, water levels are seasonally fluctuated to maximize storage during periods of high water. This fluctuation has several negative impacts on the reservoir and the resident fish community. Riparian vegetation has not been able to establish due to periodic inundation. This has resulted in severe shoreline erosion. Eroded material is suspended in the water, increasing turbidity. The increased turbidity, as well as fluctuating water levels, have prevented the establishment of submerged vegetation important to many fish species. Fluctuating water levels can also negatively impact the spawning success of some fish species. Changes to the reservoir operating plan in 1986, which required more stable water level management, has improved fishery conditions, but the fishery will not reach full potential as long as flood control is the primary function of the reservoir. Zebra mussels have been documented in Orwell Reservoir and it is designated as an infested body of water. The entire shoreline of Orwell Reservoir is owned by the state of Minnesota. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land. The Corps of Engineers maintains a public water access on the north shoreline off of County Road 114. There is a 10 horsepower restriction for outboard motors on the reservoir. A targeted survey (spring electrofishing) was used in 2024 to assess the status of the Black Crappie population. Data from the electrofishing assessment indicates that the Black Crappie population is currently in a low to moderate density. Black Crappies ranged in length from 2.9 to 14.5 inches with an average length and weight of 7.9 inches and 0.4 pounds. Twenty-nine percent of fish sampled were 8.0 inches or longer. Age data from recent targeted surveys indicate that Black Crappie recruitment is inconsistent, resulting in year class strength that is extremely variable. Consequently, there can be wide fluctuations in Black Crappie abundance and size structure. The 2022 year class is strong and should provide quality Black Crappie angling in the coming years. Crappies attain an average length of 10.5 inches at four years of age. In 2025, a special regulation was implemented reducing the daily limit of crappie to 5. Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in Orwell Reservoir 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

Orwell Reservoir is a United States Army Corps of Engineers flood control impoundment. It is located approximately eight miles southwest of Fergus Falls, MN in Otter Tail County. Construction of the dam on the Otter Tail River was completed in 1952, and the reservoir encompasses 782-acres at normal pool. Because the main purpose of the reservoir is flood control, water levels are seasonally fluctuated to maximize storage during periods of high water. This fluctuation has several negative impacts on the reservoir and the resident fish community. Riparian vegetation has not been able to establish due to periodic inundation. This has resulted in severe shoreline erosion. Eroded material is suspended in the water, increasing turbidity. The increased turbidity, as well as fluctuating water levels, have prevented the establishment of submerged vegetation important to many fish species. Fluctuating water levels can also negatively impact the spawning success of some fish species. Changes to the reservoir operating plan in 1986, which required more stable water level management, has improved fishery conditions, but the fishery will not reach full potential as long as flood control is the primary function of the reservoir. The entire shoreline of Orwell Reservoir is owned by the state of Minnesota. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land. The Corps of Engineers maintains a public water access on the north shoreline off of County Road 114. There is a 10-horsepower restriction for outboard motors on the reservoir. A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Channel Catfish populations. Walleye abundance is the highest recorded for this reservoir. The 2022 year class is strong and should provide consistently good Walleye angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 4.3 to 25.2 inches with an average length and weight of 12.2 inches and 0.8 pounds. Walleye growth is very fast with an average length of 16.8 inches at three years of age. Channel Catfish are also very abundant. Channel Catfish ranged in length from 5.9 to 30.1 inches with an average length and weight of 19.6 inches and 3.6 pounds. Thirty-eight percent of the Channel Catfish were 24.0 inches or greater in length. A catch-and-release only regulation for Smallmouth Bass was implemented in 1997. The regulation extends throughout the Otter Tail River system from the Friberg Dam, north of Fergus Falls, downstream to the Wilkin County Road 19 Bridge, and includes all impoundments within that stretch. Anglers can also maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in Orwell Reservoir 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. Orwell Reservoir was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2013. 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.

Orwell Reservoir is a United States Army Corps of Engineers flood control impoundment. It is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Fergus Falls, MN in Otter Tail County. Construction of the dam on the Otter Tail River was completed in 1952, and the reservoir encompasses 782-acres at normal pool. Because the main purpose of the reservoir is flood control, water levels are seasonally fluctuated to maximize storage during periods of high water. This fluctuation has several negative impacts on the reservoir and the resident fish community. Riparian vegetation has not been able to establish due to periodic inundation. This has resulted in severe shoreline erosion. Eroded material is suspended in the water, increasing turbidity. The increased turbidity, as well as fluctuating water levels, have prevented the establishment of submerged vegetation important to many fish species. Fluctuating water levels can also negatively impact the spawning success of some fish species. Changes to the reservoir operating plan in 1986, which required more stable water level management, has improved fishery conditions, but the fishery will not reach full potential as long as flood control is the primary function of the reservoir. Zebra mussels have been documented in Orwell Reservoir and it is designated as an infested body of water. The entire shoreline of Orwell Reservoir is owned by the state of Minnesota. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land. The Corps of Engineers maintains a public water access on the north shoreline off of County Road 114. There is a 10 horsepower restriction for outboard motors on the reservoir. A targeted survey was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie, Walleye, and Channel Catfish populations. Crappie data was collected during a spring trapnetting assessment. Walleye and Catfish data was collected during a special gillnetting assessment. Catch data from the spring trapnetting assessment indicate that the Black Crappie population is very abundant. Black Crappies ranged in length from 6.7 to 14.5 inches with an average length and weight of 9.5 inches and 0.5 pounds. The 2013 year class is very strong and should provide excellent Black Crappie angling for years. As a result of the 2013 year class, 87% of the crappies were between 9.0 and 10.0 inches in length. Crappies attain an average length of 11.2 inches at four years of age. Walleye abundance is the highest recorded for this reservoir. The 2014 year class is strong and should provide good Walleye angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.6 to 24.1 inches with an average length and weight of 13.8 inches and 0.9 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.6 inches at three years of age. Channel Catfish abundance is also the highest recorded for this reservoir. Catfish ranged in length from 9.5 to 29.9 inches with an average length and weight of 18.6 inches and 2.9 pounds. Twenty-seven percent of the Channel Catfish were 24.0 inches or greater in length. Catfish attain an average length of 18.9 inches at six years of age. Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in Orwell Reservoir 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Walleye, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass in Orwell. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Orwell has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Orwell is from 2023.

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