Minnesota · Otter Tail County
East Leaf Lake Fishing guide
East Leaf Lake is a 423-acre lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 47 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.5per gill net15"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 29 fish
2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2017Lengths measured · 13 fish
2010Lengths measured · 10 fish
2004Northern pikeFair numbers9.4per gill net21"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 83 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 83 fish
2022Lengths measured · 146 fish
2017Lengths measured · 86 fish
2010Lengths measured · 38 fish
2004BluegillJust a few4.6per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 53 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 53 fish
2022Lengths measured · 222 fish
2017Lengths measured · 95 fish
2010Lengths measured · 261 fish
2004CrappieJust a few8.3per trap net4"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 96 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 96 fish
2022Lengths measured · 44 fish
2017Lengths measured · 194 fish
2010Lengths measured · 91 fish
2004Yellow perchGood numbers12.6per gill net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 103 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 103 fish
2022Lengths measured · 51 fish
2017Lengths measured · 253 fish
2010Lengths measured · 144 fish
2004Rock bassGood numbers1.4per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 3 fish
2017Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2010Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2004Only 3 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 East Leaf 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 47 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 47 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25" | 28" | 16" |
| 2017 | 25" | 29" | 18" |
| 2010 | 26" | 24" | 15" |
| 2004 | 21" | 30" | 15" |
| 1999 | 24" | 25" | 11" |
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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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 | 3,000 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 113,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 100,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 113,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 113,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 300 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 113,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 254 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in East Leaf Lake was conducted on July 18, 2022 by Fergus Falls Area Fisheries Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations, but six stations were moved a short distance due to site conditions and two stations were sampled by boat electrofishing. A 15-foot seine was used at seven stations, and soft sediments and abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2022 survey 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, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish). 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.
Read the full DNR narrative
Results from this survey indicate the fish community of East Leaf Lake is affected by disturbance as indicated by an FIBI score very near to the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Leaf River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
East Leaf Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on East Leaf 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
- East Leaf Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
East Leaf Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Middle Leaf Lake · 404 ac · 1.6 mi
- West Leaf Lake · 700 ac · 3.5 mi
- Portage (main bay) Lake · 269 ac · 5.3 mi
- Donalds Lake · 166 ac · 6.3 mi
- Buchanan Lake · 964 ac · 7.3 mi
- Rush Lake · 5,276 ac · 7.8 mi
- East Battle Lake · 1,978 ac · 9.2 mi
- Round Lake · 273 ac · 9.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is East Leaf Lake?
East Leaf Lake reaches 47 ft at its deepest point; about 27% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is East Leaf Lake?
East Leaf Lake covers 423 acres with about 4.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in East Leaf Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on East Leaf Lake average 6.7 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in East Leaf Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is East Leaf Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does East Leaf Lake have a public access?
Yes. East Leaf Lake has one public access site: East Leaf Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in East Leaf Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.
When was East Leaf Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed East Leaf Lake in 2022, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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