Minnesota · DNR survey data
Paul Lake
Paul Lake covers 347 acres in Otter Tail County, running to 81 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2020. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2024Excellent numbers6.3per gill net20"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 95 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 50 fish
2020Lengths measured · 45 fish
2015Lengths measured · 21 fish
2008Lengths measured · 49 fish
2002Largemouth bassPresent2.3per gill net10"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 51 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 12 fish
2020Lengths measured · 39 fish
2015Lengths measured · 63 fish
2008Lengths measured · 35 fish
2002Northern pikeFair numbers6.6per gill net18"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 102 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 56 fish
2020Lengths measured · 46 fish
2015Lengths measured · 71 fish
2008Lengths measured · 84 fish
2002BluegillJust a few18.3per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 249 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 38 fish
2020Lengths measured · 211 fish
2015Lengths measured · 231 fish
2008Lengths measured · 277 fish
2002CrappieJust a few2.2per trap net9"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2015 + 2020Lengths measured · 7 fish
2020Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 28 fish
2015Lengths measured · 39 fish
2008Lengths measured · 12 fish
2002No recent survey rating.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 2,560 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,615 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,386 yearlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,935 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 260 fingerlings · 798 adults |
Recent reports
Paul Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Paul 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
- Paul Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little McDonald Lake · 1,316 ac · 1 mi
- Devils Lake · 355 ac · 2.9 mi
- McDonald Lake · 561 ac · 3.6 mi
- Big McDonald Lake · 992 ac · 3.6 mi
- West McDonald Lake · 597 ac · 4.4 mi
- Long Lake · 1,289 ac · 4.5 mi
- Sybil Lake · 683 ac · 4.6 mi
- Hoffman Lake · 157 ac · 4.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Paul Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Paul Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Paul Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2020) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Paul Lake have a public access?
Yes. Paul Lake has one public access site: Paul Lake (trailer launch).
Is Paul Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Paul Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Paul Lake in 2020, the most recent of 6 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .