Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Scalp Lake Fishing guide
Scalp Lake covers 254 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 90 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 19.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 8 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers5.4per gill net15"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 30 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2019Lengths measured · 31 fish
2013Lengths measured · 50 fish
2008Largemouth bassJust a few2.1per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2019Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 42 fish
2013Lengths measured · 19 fish
2008Northern pikeJust a few4.8per gill net21"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2019Lengths measured · 17 fish
2013Lengths measured · 23 fish
2008BluegillJust a few22.3per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 212 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 212 fish
2025Lengths measured · 8 fish
2019Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 742 fish
2013Lengths measured · 840 fish
2008Yellow perchExcellent numbers17.8per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 90 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 90 fish
2025Lengths measured · 46 fish
2019Lengths measured · 159 fish
2013Lengths measured · 42 fish
2008Rock bassExcellent numbers2per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2019Lengths measured · 149 fish
2013Lengths measured · 170 fish
2008Rates 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 Scalp Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 19.7 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 90 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. At 19.7 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 90 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24" | 18" | 36" |
| 2019 | 28" | 14" | 38" |
| 2013 | 26" | 15" | 32" |
| 2008 | 24" | 15" | 38" |
| 2004 | 27" | 15" | 30" |
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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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 | 1,062 fingerlings · 175 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 2,083 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 4,753 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,690 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 60 yearlings · 484 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Lake Seven is a 243-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles north of Vergas, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of mixed hardwoods. An unnavigable inlet is located along the north shoreline which connects to Lake Six. An unnavigable outlet with a weir is located along the south shoreline. Lake Seven has a maximum depth is 90 feet; however, 27% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 18.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 15.5 to 24.8 feet.
Development is scattered around the entire shoreline of Lake Seven. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located on the north shoreline. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are non-existent. A cooperative project between MN DNR and the Lake Seven Lake Association was completed in the fall of 2025 to reduce erosion effects around the island in the western portion of the lake. The project included installation of erosion barriers around the island and restorative plantings of willow shrubs.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Lake Seven.
The Walleye population is moderately abundant. Walleyes ranged in length from 6.3 to 24.1 inches with an average length and weight of 14.7 inches and 2.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.2 inches at four years of age. MN DNR Fisheries sustains a viable Walleye population in Lake by stocking Walleye fingerlings on an every-other year basis.
A low-density Northern Pike population exists with an excellent size structure. Northern Pike ranged in length from 14.9 to 36.9 inches with an average length and weight of 22.8 inches and 3.1 pounds. Northern Pike growth rates are fast with an average length of 26.3 inches at four years of age.
Bluegills are extremely abundant as reproduction remains persistently good. Forty-three percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 13% were 8.0 inches or greater in length.
There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Lake Seven. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing on Lake Seven by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large 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 will provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.
Lake Seven was listed as infested with Zebra Mussels in 2021. 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
Scalp Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Scalp 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
- Scalp Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Scalp Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Six Lake · 197 ac · 1 mi
- Rose Lake · 1,201 ac · 2 mi
- Wimer Lake · 293 ac · 2.8 mi
- Eagle Lake · 320 ac · 2.8 mi
- Long Lake · 1,289 ac · 3.2 mi
- Jim Lake · 101 ac · 3.3 mi
- Town Lake · 125 ac · 3.7 mi
- Acorn Lake · 154 ac · 3.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Scalp Lake?
Scalp Lake reaches 90 ft at its deepest point; about 26% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Scalp Lake?
Scalp Lake covers 254 acres with about 2.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Scalp Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Scalp Lake average 19.7 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Scalp Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Scalp Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Scalp Lake have a public access?
Yes. Scalp Lake has one public access site: Scalp Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Scalp Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2004.
When was Scalp Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Scalp Lake in 2025, the most recent of 8 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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