Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Star Lake Fishing guide
Star Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 4,486 acres, reaching 94 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 11.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 20 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers6.6per gill net15"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 164 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 50 fish
2024Lengths measured · 109 fish
2021Lengths measured · 120 fish
2018Largemouth bassJust a few3per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 6 fish
2025Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths 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 · 6 fish
2018Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers8.9per gill net18"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 217 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2025Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 98 fish
2024Lengths measured · 115 fish
2021Lengths measured · 103 fish
2018BluegillJust a few13.6per trap net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 857 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 204 fish
2025Lengths measured · 54 fish
2024Lengths measured · 410 fish
2024Lengths measured · 66 fish
2021CrappieJust a few1per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 97 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchGood numbers7.4per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 182 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2025Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 157 fish
2021Lengths measured · 101 fish
2018Rock bassOne of the best around6.3per gill net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 195 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 44 fish
2025Lengths measured · 125 fish
2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2021Lengths measured · 25 fish
2018Rates 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 Star Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.1 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 94 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 11.1 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 94 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24" | 21" | 13" |
| 2024 | 23" | 25" | 15" |
| 2021 | 23" | 33" | 17" |
| 2018 | 29" | 31" | 16" |
| 2015 | 24" | 35" | 17" |
| 2012 | 27" | 35" | 17" |
| 2009 | 26" | 30" | 18" |
| 2006 | 25" | 31" | 18" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,407,000 fry · 3,100 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 2,813,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,813,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,813,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 2,813,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,813,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Star Lake, was conducted beginning in June, 2025, and was completed in August, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 24 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 11 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at eight stations. Five stations were not seined due to stations being too deep to stand and density of vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnows and Green Sunfish).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 12 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill and Bowfin comprised a majority by biomass.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Star Lake is fully supporting aquatic life, but vulnerable to future impairments. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Star Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Star Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Star 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
- Star Lake, E Quiram (trailer launch)
- Star Lake, N 108 (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Star Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Round Lake · 173 ac · 2.7 mi
- East Silent Lake · 324 ac · 2.7 mi
- West Silent Lake · 347 ac · 4 mi
- Dead Lake · 7,546 ac · 4.3 mi
- McDonald Lake · 561 ac · 4.4 mi
- West McDonald Lake · 597 ac · 4.5 mi
- Hoffman Lake · 157 ac · 4.8 mi
- Big McDonald Lake · 992 ac · 4.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Star Lake?
Star Lake reaches 94 ft at its deepest point; about 63% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Star Lake?
Star Lake covers 4,486 acres with about 33.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Star Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Star Lake average 11.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Star Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Star Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Star Lake have a public access?
Yes. Star Lake has 2 public access sites, including Star Lake, E Quiram (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Star 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 2006.
When was Star Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Star Lake in 2025, the most recent of 20 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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