Minnesota · DNR survey data

Ethel Lake

Ethel Lake covers 191 acres in Otter Tail County, running to 64 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2025. 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.

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DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
WalleyeStocked · 2025
Just a few
0.8per gill net
Typical
26"Biggest
Largemouth bass
Present
0.9per seine haul
12"Typical
16"Biggest
5"16"

Lengths measured · 24 fish

Recent · 2025
5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 24 fish

2025
5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 11 fish

2014
5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 19 fish

2008
5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 81 fish

2003
5"10"15"19"
Northern pike
Good numbers
13per gill net
15"Typical
27"Biggest
12"27"

Lengths measured · 81 fish

Recent · 2025
8"10"15"20"25"30"35"38"

Lengths measured · 81 fish

2025
8"10"15"20"25"30"35"38"

Lengths measured · 41 fish

2014
8"10"15"20"25"30"35"38"

Lengths measured · 44 fish

2008
8"10"15"20"25"30"35"38"

Lengths measured · 94 fish

2003
8"10"15"20"25"30"35"38"
Bluegill
Just a few
19.1per trap net
7"Typical
9"Biggest
2"9"

Lengths measured · 227 fish

Recent · 2025
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 227 fish

2025
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 308 fish

2014
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 1021 fish

2008
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 694 fish

2003
2"4"6"8"9"
Crappie
Just a few
0.2per trap net
Typical
10"Biggest
Yellow perchStocked · 2016
Present, stocked
7.8per seine haul
Typical
Biggest
Rock bass
No recent survey rating

No recent survey rating.

Rates 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

YearSpeciesStocked
2025Walleye69,000 fry
2023Walleye69,000 fry
2021Walleye69,000 fry
2019Walleye69,000 fry
2017Walleye69,000 fry
2016Walleye268 adults
2016Yellow Perch500 adults

Recent reports

Ethel Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Ethel 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.

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Otter Tail County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Ethel Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Ethel Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Ethel Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2025) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.

Does Ethel Lake have a public access?

Yes. Ethel Lake has one public access site: Ethel Lake (trailer launch).

Is Ethel Lake stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.

When was Ethel Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Ethel Lake in 2025, the most recent of 6 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .