Minnesota · Otter Tail County
North Lida Lake Fishing guide
North Lida Lake is a 5,523-acre lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 58 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 9.9 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 17 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.1per gill net16"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 124 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 54 fish
2024Lengths measured · 70 fish
2021Lengths measured · 72 fish
2018Lengths measured · 177 fish
2015Largemouth bassPresent1.3per gill net11"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2021Lengths measured · 26 fish
2018Lengths measured · 11 fish
2015Smallmouth bassPresent0.8per gill net12"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 14 fish
2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2021Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2018Lengths measured · 50 fish
2015Northern pikeJust a few4.9per gill net17"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 147 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 84 fish
2024Lengths measured · 63 fish
2021Lengths measured · 83 fish
2018Lengths measured · 90 fish
2015Present in recent DNR surveys.
BluegillPresent6.5per gill net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 662 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 191 fish
2024Lengths measured · 102 fish
2024Lengths measured · 276 fish
2022Lengths measured · 93 fish
2021CrappiePresent1per gill net11"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 830 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2024Lengths measured · 390 fish
2024Lengths measured · 410 fish
2021Lengths measured · 14 fish
2021Yellow perchJust a few0.5per gill net5"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2024Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 20 fish
2018Lengths measured · 11 fish
2015Rock bassFair numbers0.7per gill net5"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 80 fish
2018Lengths measured · 85 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 North Lida 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 58 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.
- 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 58 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 | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23" | 15" | 17" |
| 2021 | 27" | 14" | 17" |
| 2018 | 27" | 13" | 17" |
| 2015 | 25" | 18" | 17" |
| 2012 | 26" | 16" | 18" |
| 2009 | 26" | 14" | 16" |
| 2006 | 23" | 14" | 19" |
| 2003 | 22" | 18" | 16" |
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
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
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 | 2,380,000 fry · 9,600 yearlings · 1,211 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 17,130 fingerlings · 1,800 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,190,000 fry · 2,700 fingerlings · 490 yearlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,190,000 fry · 720 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,190,000 fry · 36,531 fingerlings · 8 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
North Lida Lake is a 5,564-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. North Lida Lake is connected to South Lida Lake by a navigable culvert under State Highway 108 along the south shoreline. North Lida Lake is also connected to Lizzie Lake via a non-navigable culvert under County Road 4. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 58 feet; however, 43% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.0 to 14.5 feet.
A majority of the shoreline on North Lida Lake has been developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located off of County Road 4 along the north shoreline. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered throughout the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and can 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 important nursery areas 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
A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2022. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. The 2024 spring trap netting survey was conducted to collect data on the Bluegill population, which will be used for regulation evaluation purposes in future surveys. The Bluegill population is extremely abundant and has a quality size structure. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Fifty-eight percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 10% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.3 inches at eight years of age.
Harvest regulations for Walleye and Black Crappie are also implemented on North Lida Lake. The Walleye regulation is a 17.0 to 26.0 inch protected slot length limit with one fish over 26.0 inches allowed in possession. The Black Crappie regulation is an 11-inch minimum length limit. The intent of these regulations is to maintain the size structures of these populations.
Anglers can also maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of 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.
North Lida Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2014. 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
North Lida Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on North Lida 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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All North Lida Lake fishing reports → · Otter Tail County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Lida Lake (N) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
North Lida Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Crystal Lake · 1,413 ac · 2.4 mi
- South Lida Lake · 777 ac · 3.3 mi
- Franklin Lake · 1,088 ac · 4.1 mi
- Lizzie (north portion) Lake · 1,913 ac · 4.4 mi
- Otter Lake · 77 ac · 4.5 mi
- West Silent Lake · 347 ac · 4.6 mi
- Prairie Lake · 1,004 ac · 4.8 mi
- Beers Lake · 317 ac · 4.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is North Lida Lake?
North Lida Lake reaches 58 ft at its deepest point; about 43% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is North Lida Lake?
North Lida Lake covers 5,523 acres with about 19.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in North Lida Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on North Lida Lake average 9.9 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in North Lida Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is North Lida Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2019.
Does North Lida Lake have a public access?
Yes. North Lida Lake has one public access site: Lida Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in North Lida Lake?
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 North Lida Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed North Lida Lake in 2024, the most recent of 17 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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