Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Otter Tail Lake Fishing guide
Otter Tail Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 14,079 acres, reaching 120 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 8.4 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers10.4per gill net15"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 415 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 214 fish
2024Lengths measured · 201 fish
2021Lengths measured · 352 fish
2018Lengths measured · 259 fish
2015Smallmouth bassPresent0.7per gill net13"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2021Lengths measured · 2 fish
2015Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2004Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few2.3per gill net24"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 93 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 53 fish
2024Lengths measured · 40 fish
2021Lengths measured · 80 fish
2018Lengths measured · 84 fish
2015BluegillPresent0.3per gill net3"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2021Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2018Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2015Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappiePresent0.3per gill net11"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2024Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2018Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2015Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchExcellent numbers24.7per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 987 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 639 fish
2024Lengths measured · 348 fish
2021Lengths measured · 610 fish
2018Lengths measured · 938 fish
2015Lake sturgeonLast stocked 2019Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2024Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 22 fish
2018Lengths measured · 138 fish
2018Rock bassGood numbers2per gill net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 81 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 56 fish
2021Lengths measured · 25 fish
2018Lengths measured · 40 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 Otter Tail 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 120 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 120 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 | 24" | 19" | 19" |
| 2021 | 28" | 5" | 13" |
| 2018 | 26" | 17" | — |
| 2015 | 23" | 14" | 16" |
| 2007 | 26" | 13" | — |
| 2004 | 26" | — | 16" |
| 2001 | 27" | — | — |
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 | 4,000,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 4,846,887 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,850,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,875,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 3,250,000 fry |
| 2019 | Lake Sturgeon | 2,401 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 3,250,000 fry |
| 2018 | Lake Sturgeon | 3,546 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,250,000 fry |
| 2017 | Lake Sturgeon | 3,057 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 3,250,000 fry |
| 2016 | Lake Sturgeon | 4,034 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2016 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Otter Tail Lake is a 13,725-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County. The city of Ottertail, MN abuts the east shoreline of the lake. Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream, while Deer, East Lost, West Lost, and Red River Lakes are located downstream. Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River, which is located along the north shoreline, and the Dead River, which is located along the northwest shoreline. The Otter Tail River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Otter Tail Lake has a maximum depth of 120 feet; however, 57% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2024 survey was 12.5 feet. Historical secchi disk readings ranged from 6.2 to 9.0 feet.
The majority of the lake is surrounded by residential and commercial development. State owned public water accesses are located on the north, northeast, and southwest shorelines. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with gravel. The lake contains large, shallow flats along most of its perimeter. Because of the abundant sand substrate, areas of submerged aquatic vegetation are present but sporadic. A few remnant stands of hardstem bulrush remain and are located adjacent to the undeveloped parcels. These areas are important components to the lake. They provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat during all stages of life and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Bulrush beds are natural shoreline stabilizers, reducing erosion caused from wave action and they can even absorb pollutants from the water. Because of their ecological value, bulrush may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Read the full DNR narrative
Otter Tail Lake is a very popular lake for both open water and winter angling. Although it is known primarily for the excellent Walleye angling, Otter Tail Lake is one of the few lakes in the area that supports a quality Yellow Perch fishery. It is also known as a trophy Northern Pike fishery, particularly among winter spear fishermen.
A Lake Sturgeon re-introduction plan was implemented in 2002 when yearling Lake Sturgeon were stocked into Otter Tail Lake. The objective of the re-introduction plan is to re-establish a self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon population in the Otter Tail River system. Lake Sturgeon fingerlings were stocked on an annual basis from 2004 to 2019. In this survey, Lake Sturgeon ranged in length from 32.4 to 50.6 inches with an average length and weight of 40.9 inches and 9.6 pounds.
A low to moderate density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 16.0 to 33.0 inches with an average length and weight of 24.4 inches and 3.3 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 24.4 inches at five years of age.
A 30-inch minimum length limit for Northern Pike was implemented on Otter Tail Lake in May of 2003. The management goal of the regulation was to increase the size structure of the Northern Pike population. The specific management objective was to provide a Northern Pike population with at least 20% of the pike in the gill net sample measuring 30.0 inches or greater in length. The management objective was not achieved in any survey since the regulation was implemented. After receiving public input, the 30.0-inch minimum length limit regulation was modified in 2023 to the north-central zone regulation. This regulation stipulates a bag limit of ten pike with not more than two over 26.0 inches in length and all pike from 22.0 to 26.0-inches must be immediately released.
Yellow Perch size structure and abundance has declined in recent surveys. Thirteen percent of the Yellow Perch were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Yellow Perch attain an average length of 8.2 inches at five years of age.
Walleye abundance remains at a high level. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.6 to 24.9 inches with an average length and weight of 13.4 inches and 1.0 pounds. The 2021 and 2022-year classes are very strong and should provide good Walleye angling now and in the future. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.7 inches at four years of age.
Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in Otter Tail Lake 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 eating. Releasing medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and should provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.
Otter Tail 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
Otter Tail Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Otter Tail 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.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Otter Tail Lake fishing reports → · Otter Tail County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Otter Tail Lake, Riverside (trailer launch)
- Otter Tail Lake, Riviera (N) (trailer launch)
- Otter Tail Lake, Sportsman (E) (trailer launch)
- Otter Tail Lake (W) (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Otter Tail Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Walker Lake · 579 ac · 2.9 mi
- Blanche Lake · 1,296 ac · 3.3 mi
- Ethel Lake · 191 ac · 3.4 mi
- Annie Battle Lake · 354 ac · 4.7 mi
- Twin Lake · 369 ac · 5.1 mi
- Deer Lake · 447 ac · 5.2 mi
- Molly Stark Lake · 152 ac · 5.4 mi
- Donalds Lake · 166 ac · 6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Otter Tail Lake?
Otter Tail Lake reaches 120 ft at its deepest point; about 46% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Otter Tail Lake?
Otter Tail Lake covers 14,079 acres with about 23.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Otter Tail Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Otter Tail Lake average 8.4 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Otter Tail Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake sturgeon, rock bass.
Is Otter Tail Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Otter Tail Lake have a public access?
Yes. Otter Tail Lake has 4 public access sites, including Otter Tail Lake, Riverside (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Otter Tail 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 2001.
When was Otter Tail Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Otter Tail Lake in 2024, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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