Minnesota · DNR survey data
Buchanan Lake
Buchanan Lake covers 964 acres in Otter Tail County, running to 42 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2014. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2024Fair numbers2.7per gill net22"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 24 fish
2014Lengths measured · 63 fish
2008Lengths measured · 24 fish
2004Lengths measured · 51 fish
1999Largemouth bassPresent1.7per gill net12"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 25 fish
2014Lengths measured · 24 fish
2008Lengths measured · 11 fish
2004Lengths measured · 8 fish
1999Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeGood numbers10.2per gill net18"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 106 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 106 fish
2014Lengths measured · 152 fish
2008Lengths measured · 138 fish
2004Lengths measured · 147 fish
1999BluegillOne of the best around100.1per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1042 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 1042 fish
2014Lengths measured · 793 fish
2008Lengths measured · 373 fish
2004Lengths measured · 980 fish
1999CrappieJust a few5.1per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 54 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 54 fish
2014Lengths measured · 62 fish
2008Lengths measured · 23 fish
2004Lengths measured · 111 fish
1999Yellow perchFair numbers4.3per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 39 fish
2014Lengths measured · 16 fish
2008Lengths measured · 16 fish
2004Lengths measured · 146 fish
1999Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 835,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 835,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 835,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 835,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 835,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 835,000 fry |
Recent reports
Buchanan Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Buchanan Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Buchanan Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Donalds Lake · 166 ac · 2.1 mi
- Portage (main bay) Lake · 269 ac · 2.5 mi
- Round Lake · 273 ac · 2.9 mi
- Rush Lake · 5,276 ac · 3.3 mi
- West Leaf Lake · 700 ac · 4 mi
- Boedigheimer Lake · 169 ac · 4.9 mi
- Middle Leaf Lake · 404 ac · 5.8 mi
- Walker Lake · 579 ac · 5.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Buchanan Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Buchanan Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Buchanan Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2014) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Buchanan Lake have a public access?
Yes. Buchanan Lake has one public access site: Buchanan Lake (trailer launch).
Is Buchanan Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Buchanan Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Buchanan Lake in 2014, the most recent of 7 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .