Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Lake Adley Fishing guide
Lake Adley covers 241 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 20 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 4.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.5per gill net20"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2023Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 38 fish
2020Lengths measured · 16 fish
2015Largemouth bassFair numbers20per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 53 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 52 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2023Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2020Lengths measured · 6 fish
2015Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers9.7per gill net20"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 66 fish
2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2023Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 51 fish
2020Lengths measured · 76 fish
2015BluegillJust a few22.1per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 908 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 777 fish
2025Lengths measured · 131 fish
2023Lengths measured · 378 fish
2020Lengths measured · 376 fish
2015CrappieJust a few2.4per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 114 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 98 fish
2025Lengths measured · 16 fish
2023Lengths measured · 88 fish
2020Lengths measured · 126 fish
2015Rates 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 Lake Adley 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. With 99% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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. With 99% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26" | 18" | 31" |
| 2023 | 27" | 11" | 26" |
| 2020 | 25" | 17" | 31" |
| 2015 | 23" | 17" | 33" |
| 2011 | 27" | 17" | 29" |
| 2007 | 27" | 18" | 38" |
| 2003 | 25" | 13" | 26" |
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
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 | 4,546 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 132 yearlings · 360 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 3,641 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 476 yearlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,856 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 3,895 fingerlings · 425 yearlings · 128 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 4,300 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 291 yearlings · 223 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 2,900 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 580 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Adley Lake is a 239-acre eutrophic (very fertile) lake located in southeastern Otter Tail County. The city of Parkers Prairie abuts the north and west shorelines of the lake. The immediate watershed is primarily composed of residential and commercial areas along with small tracts of agricultural land. Adley Lake has a maximum depth of 20 feet; however, the majority of the lake is less than 10 feet in depth. Consequently, the lake is subject to periodic partial winterkill. The Parkers Prairie Sportsmen's Club operates an aeration system during severe winters, which has recently minimized the severity of winterkills. The most recent partial winterkill occurred in 1996-97. The secchi disk reading during the survey was 11.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 1.5 to 4.2 feet.
A city park is located along the east shoreline of the lake The park includes amenities such as picnic shelters with electricity, playground equipment, fire pits, volleyball nets, and a concrete public water access. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of gravel and sand. Hardstem bulrush and common cattails are abundant in several areas around the lake; however, they are most prevalent in the southern basin. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They provide critical spawning and nursery habitat for species of fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They protect shorelines from erosion and can absorb and break down pollutants. Because of their ecological importance, bulrush and cattails may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Read the full DNR narrative
A standard fisheries survey was conducted to analyze the fish community of Adley Lake. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present.
Walleyes are moderately abundant. Walleyes ranged in length from 12.2 to 26.3 inches with an average length and weight of 19.0 inches and 2.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.9 inches at four years of age. A viable Walleye population is sustained by Walleye stocking efforts from MN DNR Fisheries and the Parkers Prairie Sportsmen's Club.
Northern Pike abundance is also at a moderate level. Northern Pike ranged in length from 17.2 to 31.4 inches with an average length and weight of 22.0 inches and 2.3 pounds. Northern Pike growth is fast as they attain an average length of 23.3 inches at four years of age.
A very abundant Largemouth Bass population with a quality size structure is present. Age data indicate that bass exhibit consistently good reproduction. Forty-seven percent of the Largemouth Bass were 15.0 inches or greater in length. Largemouth Bass growth is also fast with an average length of 14.5 inches at five years of age.
Bluegills have consistently remained abundant. Age data indicate that the 2019 and 2020-year classes are strong and should provide good Bluegill angling for several years. Forty-four percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.7 inches at seven years of age.
There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Adley Lake. Anglers can help maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of the 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.
Adley Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2016. 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
Lake Adley fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake Adley 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
- Adley Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lake Adley depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Fish Lake · 489 ac · 3.4 mi
- Vermont Lake · 342 ac · 4.1 mi
- Lake Irene · 639 ac · 5.3 mi
- Lake Miltona · 5,731 ac · 6.8 mi
- Mill Pond · 54 ac · 7 mi
- Block Lake · 290 ac · 7.6 mi
- Indian Lake · 99 ac · 10.2 mi
- Lake Ida · 4,445 ac · 11 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Adley?
Lake Adley reaches 20 ft at its deepest point; about 99% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lake Adley?
Lake Adley covers 241 acres with about 5.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lake Adley?
DNR Secchi readings on Lake Adley average 4.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lake Adley?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Lake Adley stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lake Adley have a public access?
Yes. Lake Adley has one public access site: Adley Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lake Adley?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2003.
When was Lake Adley last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Adley in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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