Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Lizzie (north portion) Lake Fishing guide
Lizzie (north portion) Lake covers 1,913 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 66 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 16.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.6per gill net19"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 70 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 38 fish
2025Lengths measured · 32 fish
2022Lengths measured · 31 fish
2019Lengths measured · 42 fish
2016Largemouth bassJust a few9per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2022Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 56 fish
2019Lengths measured · 26 fish
2016Smallmouth bassJust a few2per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 46 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 17 fish
2025Lengths measured · 29 fish
2022Lengths measured · 19 fish
2019Lengths measured · 17 fish
2016Northern pikeFair numbers8.5per gill net19"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 211 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 167 fish
2025Lengths measured · 44 fish
2022Lengths measured · 48 fish
2019Lengths measured · 67 fish
2016Present in recent DNR surveys.
BluegillJust a few23per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 741 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 311 fish
2025Lengths measured · 430 fish
2022Lengths measured · 268 fish
2019Lengths measured · 392 fish
2016CrappieJust a few0.5per trap net11"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 10 fish
2025Lengths measured · 6 fish
2022Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2019Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2016Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchFair numbers2.8per gill net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 44 fish
2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2022Lengths measured · 7 fish
2019Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 21 fish
2016Rock bassExcellent numbers2.3per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 107 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 78 fish
2025Lengths measured · 29 fish
2022Lengths measured · 30 fish
2019Lengths measured · 22 fish
2016Rates 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 Lizzie (north portion) Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 16.7 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 66 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. At 16.7 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 66 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26" | 31" | 18" |
| 2022 | 26" | 27" | 18" |
| 2019 | 27" | 25" | 18" |
| 2016 | 27" | 31" | 19" |
| 2013 | 26" | 31" | 18" |
| 2010 | 26" | 31" | 16" |
| 2007 | 27" | 30" | 17" |
| 2004 | 25" | 30" | 14" |
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 · 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
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 | 3,013,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 3,013,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,506,500 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,506,500 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,506,500 fry |
| 2020 | Walleye | 9,000 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,506,500 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,506,500 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,506,500 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 3,013,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Lizzie Lake is a 4,035-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately six miles northeast of Pelican Rapids, MN. Lizzie Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed. Lizzie Lake is connected to Pelican Lake and Prairie Lake via the Pelican River. The Pelican River inlet is located along the northwest shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Lizzie Lake is connected to Crystal Lake by a navigable culvert under County Road 31. Lizzie Lake is also connected to North Lida Lake by an unnavigable culvert under County Road 4. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Lizzie Lake is 66 feet; however, 75% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 25.0 feet. Previous Secchi disk readings ranged from 6.5 to 22.0 feet.
A majority of the north and west shorelines of Lizzie Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the west shoreline of the lake. Shoreline development is limited in the southern portion of the lake. Hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and phragmites are prevalent throughout this section of the lake. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are also scattered along various shorelines of the northern portion of the lake and around several mid-lake islands. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and 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 an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Read the full DNR narrative
Lizzie Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Walleye are the dominant gamefish species present.
Northern Pike are extremely abundant. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 11.1 to 32.0 inches with an average length and weight of 19.7 inches and 1.6 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 21.1 inches at four years of age.
A balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 5.1 to 18.4 inches.
Catch and age data indicate that Smallmouth Bass abundance has been increasing and that reproduction is consistently good. Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 6.9 to 19.6 inches. Smallmouth Bass growth is fast with an average length of 13.3 inches at four years of age.
Bluegills continue to remain abundant in Lizzie Lake. Thirty-six percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length and 1% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.1 inches at seven years of age.
Walleye abundance has been at a lower level in recent surveys compared to historical abundance. Walleyes ranged in length from 13.0 to 26.1 inches with an average length and weight of 19.4 inches and 3.4 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 13.7 inches at four years of age.
There are no special or experimental harvest regulations in effect for Lizzie Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that 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.
Lizzie Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. 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.
Lizzie Lake is also a popular waterfowl hunting lake. Many hunters pursue ducks and geese in the southern portion of the lake (Rush Lake). Rush Lake is annually designated as a DNR waterfowl feeding and resting area from September 1 through the final day of the duck hunting season. Operation of motorized watercraft in Rush Lake during that time period is prohibited.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lizzie (north portion) Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lizzie (north portion) 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
- Lizzie Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lizzie (north portion) Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Franklin Lake · 1,088 ac · 1.8 mi
- Fish Lake · 293 ac · 2.5 mi
- Crystal Lake · 1,413 ac · 3.4 mi
- Tamarac Lake · 445 ac · 3.7 mi
- Prairie Lake · 1,004 ac · 4 mi
- Pelican Lake · 3,962 ac · 4.1 mi
- North Lida Lake · 5,523 ac · 4.4 mi
- Otter Lake · 77 ac · 5.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lizzie (north portion) Lake?
Lizzie (north portion) Lake reaches 66 ft at its deepest point; about 43% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lizzie (north portion) Lake?
Lizzie (north portion) Lake covers 1,913 acres with about 9.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lizzie (north portion) Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lizzie (north portion) Lake average 16.7 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lizzie (north portion) Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lizzie (north portion) Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lizzie (north portion) Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lizzie (north portion) Lake has one public access site: Lizzie Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lizzie (north portion) 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 2004.
When was Lizzie (north portion) Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lizzie (north portion) Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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