Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Rose Lake Fishing guide
Rose Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 1,201 acres, reaching 137 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 10.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers2.3per gill net20"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 38 fish
2019Lengths measured · 51 fish
2013Lengths measured · 62 fish
2009Largemouth bassJust a few1.9per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2024Lengths measured · 84 fish
2019Lengths measured · 38 fish
2013Lengths measured · 63 fish
2009Northern pikeFair numbers9.9per gill net17"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 103 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 103 fish
2024Lengths measured · 122 fish
2019Lengths measured · 99 fish
2013Lengths measured · 107 fish
2009BluegillJust a few23per trap net4"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 301 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 301 fish
2024Lengths measured · 245 fish
2019Lengths measured · 309 fish
2013Lengths measured · 189 fish
2009Rock bassGood numbers0.8per seine haul5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2019Lengths measured · 40 fish
2013Lengths measured · 29 fish
2009Rates 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 Rose Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10.6 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 137 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 10.6 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 137 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28" | 31" | 17" |
| 2019 | 29" | 30" | 17" |
| 2013 | 28" | 26" | 17" |
| 2009 | 23" | 38" | 18" |
| 2005 | 28" | 32" | 16" |
| 2001 | 27" | 29" | 15" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 224 yearlings · 776 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,560 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 8,835 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 818 yearlings · 263 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 522 fingerlings · 842 yearlings · 196 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,142 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Rose Lake is a 1,190-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately one mile east of Vergas, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots. An outlet dam is located along the south shoreline. The maximum depth is 137 feet; however, 39% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2024 survey was 15.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 5.2 to 14.0 feet.
Shoreline development is moderate and consists of homes, cabins, and resorts. A DNR owned public water access is located off of County Road 4 along the northwest shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located in various areas throughout the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can absorb and breakdown polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like 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
Rose 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, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available.
A high-density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 10.3 to 31.4 inches with an average length and weight of 17.2 inches and 1.4 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 18.4 inches at four years of age.
Walleye abundance has remained stable at a moderate level. Walleyes ranged in length from 14.3 to 28.2 inches with an average length and weight of 21.1 inches and 3.7 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.1 inches at four years of age.
Data indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists and that bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 5.0 to 17.2 inches. Bass attain an average length of 13.9 inches at five years of age.
The Bluegill population has remained stable in recent surveys. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Thirty percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length and 7% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.2 inches at seven years of age.
Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Rose 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 table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.
Rose Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2011. 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
Rose Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Rose 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
- Rose Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Rose Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Long Lake · 1,289 ac · 1.3 mi
- Jim Lake · 101 ac · 1.7 mi
- Scalp Lake · 254 ac · 2 mi
- Wimer Lake · 293 ac · 2.5 mi
- Six Lake · 197 ac · 2.8 mi
- Sybil Lake · 683 ac · 3.6 mi
- Eagle Lake · 320 ac · 4 mi
- East Loon Lake · 1,044 ac · 4.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Rose Lake?
Rose Lake reaches 137 ft at its deepest point; about 39% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Rose Lake?
Rose Lake covers 1,201 acres with about 9.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Rose Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Rose Lake average 10.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Rose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Rose Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Rose Lake have a public access?
Yes. Rose Lake has one public access site: Rose Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Rose 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 Rose Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Rose Lake in 2024, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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