Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Little McDonald Lake Fishing guide
Little McDonald Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 1,316 acres, reaching 109 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 22.4 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2020, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets. That survey is 6 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers8.6per gill net17"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 324 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2016 + 2020Lengths measured · 45 fish
2020Lengths measured · 92 fish
2016Lengths measured · 187 fish
2012Lengths measured · 333 fish
2008Largemouth bassJust a few12.4per hr (electrofishing)8"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 225 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2016 + 2020Lengths measured · 10 fish
2020Lengths measured · 83 fish
2016Lengths measured · 132 fish
2012Lengths measured · 67 fish
2008Northern pikeJust a few4.4per gill net21"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 160 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2016 + 2020Lengths measured · 43 fish
2020Lengths measured · 56 fish
2016Lengths measured · 61 fish
2012Lengths measured · 98 fish
2008BluegillJust a few22.5per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 652 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2016 + 2020Lengths measured · 10 fish
2020Lengths measured · 290 fish
2016Lengths measured · 352 fish
2012Lengths measured · 626 fish
2008CrappieJust a few3.6per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 95 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2016 + 2020Lengths measured · 2 fish
2020Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 36 fish
2016Lengths measured · 57 fish
2012Lengths measured · 47 fish
2008Yellow perchFair numbers2.1per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 76 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2016 + 2020Lengths measured · 1 fish
2020Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 18 fish
2016Lengths measured · 57 fish
2012Lengths measured · 5 fish
2008Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rock bassExcellent numbers46.9per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 105 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2016 + 2020Lengths measured · 1 fish
2020Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 39 fish
2016Lengths measured · 65 fish
2012Lengths measured · 13 fish
2008Rates 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 Little McDonald Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 22.4 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 109 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. At 22.4 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 109 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 28" | 17" | 31" |
| 2016 | 27" | 17" | 30" |
| 2012 | 27" | 19" | 29" |
| 2008 | 28" | 15" | 30" |
| 2004 | 28" | 19" | 31" |
| 2000 | 30" | 16" | 44" |
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 · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
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
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 | 7,684 fingerlings · 100 yearlings · 14 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 4,788 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 14,332 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 3,702 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 7,826 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 23,041 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 10,473 fingerlings · 120 yearlings · 60 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2020 survey
Little McDonald Lake is a 1,174-acre mestrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately six miles west of Perham, MN. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 109 feet; however, 35% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading was 19.8 feet, indicating excellent water clarity. Secchi disk readings in previous surveys ranged from 10.0 to 30.5 feet.
The entire shoreline of the lake has been developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. DNR owned public water accesses are located along the north and south shorelines. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Areas of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent in the western portion of the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They are also important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Read the full DNR narrative
A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Northern Pike populations.
Northern Pike abundance has remained stable over the recent series of surveys. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 13.8 to 31.8 inches with an average length and weight of 21.3 inches and 2.2 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 19.8 inches at four years of age.
Walleye abundance has historically been stable but the Walleye numbers in the 2020 survey were the lowest recorded. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.5 to 28.4 inches with an average length and weight of 20.7 inches and 3.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.8 inches at four years of age.
An experimental regulation designed to maintain or improve the Walleye size structure in Little McDonald Lake was implemented in 1998 and was in effect through 2010. The regulation was an 18.0 to 26.0 inch protected slot limit with one Walleye over 26.0 inches allowed in possession. The regulation was reviewed and a public input meeting was held in the fall of 2010. In 2011, after overwhelming public support, the experimental regulation was amended and made into a special regulation and is now permanent. The amended regulation is a 17.0 to 26.0 inch protected slot limit with one Walleye over 26.0 inches allowed in possession.
Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size 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.
Little McDonald Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2013. 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
Little McDonald Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Little McDonald 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
- Little McDonald Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Little McDonald Lake (S) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Little McDonald Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Paul Lake · 347 ac · 1 mi
- Devils Lake · 355 ac · 3.1 mi
- Big McDonald Lake · 992 ac · 3.3 mi
- McDonald Lake · 561 ac · 3.5 mi
- Long Lake · 1,289 ac · 3.5 mi
- Sybil Lake · 683 ac · 3.6 mi
- West McDonald Lake · 597 ac · 4 mi
- Hoffman Lake · 157 ac · 4.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Little McDonald Lake?
Little McDonald Lake reaches 109 ft at its deepest point; about 31% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Little McDonald Lake?
Little McDonald Lake covers 1,316 acres with about 8.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Little McDonald Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Little McDonald Lake average 22.4 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Little McDonald Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2020) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Little McDonald Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Little McDonald Lake have a public access?
Yes. Little McDonald Lake has 2 public access sites, including Little McDonald Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Little McDonald Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2000.
When was Little McDonald Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Little McDonald Lake in 2020, the most recent of 10 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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