Otto

St. Louis County

Near Hornby

DOW: 69014400

Northern PikeExcellent · 76Smallmouth BassGood · 50Yellow PerchAverage · 37

A 154-acre lake near Hornby in St. Louis County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 1999.

Fish Species (6)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 76

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

23.1"

Avg Weight

3.49 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 2–8.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike60% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 40%Largest sampled 28"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 9, 1999	2.50	23.1"	3.49 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.9"

Avg Weight

0.80 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net · typical 1.6–3.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable smallmouth bass33% keeper-size (12"+)

7–11" · 67%Largest sampled 15"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 9, 1999	2.33	7.9"	0.80 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1999	2.33	7.9"	0.04 lbs	1/4-in trap nets
Aug 9, 1999	0.22	7.9"	0.48 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.2"

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 3.8 per gill net · typical 2.5–14.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch7% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 93%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 9, 1999	5.67	6.2"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Aug 9, 1999	0.67	6.2"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1999	3.83	6.2"	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 21

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.7"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 1.1 per trap net · typical 0.8–7.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 4"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 9, 1999	1.11	3.7"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Golden Shiner

Good · 62

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 3.7 per gill net · typical 0.5–9.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 9, 1999	3.67	5.6"	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1999	1.00	5.6"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Aug 9, 1999	0.44	5.6"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

22.0"

Avg Weight

9.48 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 9, 1999	0.22	22.0"	9.48 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

August 9, 1999Otto Lake is a softwater lake located in the Superior National Forest, 4 miles south of Fairbanks. Due to unsuccessful walleye stocking, primary manag…

Otto Lake is a softwater lake located in the Superior National Forest, 4 miles south of Fairbanks. Due to unsuccessful walleye stocking, primary management has shifted from walleye to smallmouth bass. The primary purpose of the 1999 assessment was to evaluate adult smallmouth bass stocking in 1995 and 1997. Results were encouraging with many adults and several naturally reproduces juveniles sampled. Catch rates are difficult to ascertain because bass are not generally susceptable to gillnets and trapnets. More importantly, the smallmouth bass stocking was successful, with many adults surviving, and sucessfully reproducing. Northern pike and yellow perch are both present in fair numbers. Pumpkinseed sunfish, golden shiners, and white suckers were also present.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Otto?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed in Otto. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Otto?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Otto. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Otto?

Otto has a maximum depth of 27 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Otto last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Otto is from 1999. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.