Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Dead Lake Fishing guide
Dead Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 7,546 acres, reaching 65 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6.2 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers6per gill net14"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 151 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 50 fish
2024Lengths measured · 101 fish
2021Lengths measured · 94 fish
2018Lengths measured · 78 fish
2015Largemouth bassPresent0.8per gill net8"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 28 fish
2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2021Lengths measured · 20 fish
2018Lengths measured · 6 fish
2015Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few5.1per gill net16"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 141 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 53 fish
2024Lengths measured · 88 fish
2021Lengths measured · 75 fish
2018Lengths measured · 72 fish
2015BluegillFair numbers33.4per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 891 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 501 fish
2024Lengths measured · 390 fish
2021Lengths measured · 383 fish
2018Lengths measured · 196 fish
2015CrappieJust a few2.6per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 76 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 45 fish
2024Lengths measured · 31 fish
2021Lengths measured · 38 fish
2018Lengths measured · 24 fish
2015Yellow perchFair numbers1.2per gill net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2018Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2015Rock bassGood numbers0.7per trap net8"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 17 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2024Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 9 fish
2018Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2015Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Dead Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 65 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 65 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26" | 18" | 12" |
| 2021 | 26" | 18" | — |
| 2018 | 25" | 18" | — |
| 2015 | 23" | 15" | — |
| 2012 | 27" | 18" | — |
| 2009 | 29" | 18" | — |
| 2006 | 27" | 17" | — |
| 2003 | 29" | 17" | — |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 6,537,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 6,500,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 6,537,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 6,537,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 6,537,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Dead Lake is a 7,901-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately three miles south of Dent, MN. It is the second largest lake in Otter Tail County. The Dead River outlet is located along the southeast shoreline and flows south into Walker and Otter Tail Lakes. The Walker Lake State Fish Hatchery is located on the Dead River. Dead Lake is also connected to Star Lake by a non-navigable channel under County Road 35. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural and marsh lands interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Dead Lake is 65 feet; however, 83% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2024 lake survey was 12.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 3.0 to 6.0 feet.
The majority of the shoreline of Dead Lake remains undeveloped. Approximately 70% of the shoreline is composed of mixed hardwoods or marshlands. Homes, cabins, and resorts occupy the shoreline that is developed. State owned public water accesses are located along the north, west, and east shorelines. Large stands of hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice are prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush, cattail, and wild rice 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 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.
Read the full DNR narrative
There is a 90-acre Aquatic Management Area (AMA) located on Dead Lake. It adjoins a State-Owned Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The Dead Lake WMA/AMA is approximately 895 acres. The AMA portion contains two islands and the eastern shoreline of the unit. The WMA/AMA is located on the central part of Dead Lake. The entire unit is primarily managed and overseen by the Division of Wildlife.
Dead Lake has a reputation as one of the best all-around fishing lakes in Otter Tail County. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community. The abundance of these species can be attributed to the diversity of suitable spawning habitat that is available.
A moderate-density Walleye population exists. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.9 to 22.1 inches with an average length and weight of 15.3 inches and 1.3 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.8 inches at four years of age.
Northern Pike abundance has remained stable over the recent series of surveys; however, size structure has remained poor. Pike ranged in length from 11.6 to 31.1 inches with an average length and weight of 17.9 inches and 1.3 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 20.5 inches at four years of age.
Bluegill abundance has also remained stable. Age data indicates that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Sixty percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 13% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.7 inches at seven years of age.
Black Crappie reproduction appears to be consistently good. Thirteen percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.2 to 11.4. Black Crappies attain an average length of 9.1 inches at five years of age.
Dead Lake is a popular lake with Largemouth Bass anglers. Several permitted Largemouth Bass tournaments are held annually on Dead Lake
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 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.
Dead Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. 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.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Dead Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Dead 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
- Dead Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Dead Lake (SE) (trailer launch)
- Dead Lake (SW) (trailer launch)
- Dead Lake WMA (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Dead Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Star Lake · 4,486 ac · 4.3 mi
- Walker Lake · 579 ac · 4.5 mi
- Pickerel Lake · 849 ac · 4.8 mi
- Round Lake · 173 ac · 5.2 mi
- Marion Lake · 1,624 ac · 5.5 mi
- Twin Lake · 369 ac · 5.5 mi
- McDonald Lake · 561 ac · 6 mi
- Maine Lake · 89 ac · 6.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Dead Lake?
Dead Lake reaches 65 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 9.5 ft; about 87% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Dead Lake?
Dead Lake covers 7,546 acres with about 41 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Dead Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Dead Lake average 6.2 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Dead Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Dead Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Dead Lake have a public access?
Yes. Dead Lake has 4 public access sites, including Dead Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Dead Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2003.
When was Dead Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Dead Lake in 2024, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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