Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Sybil Lake Fishing guide
Sybil Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 683 acres, reaching 74 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 14.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers7.2per gill net16"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 138 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 45 fish
2025Lengths measured · 93 fish
2021Lengths measured · 61 fish
2017Lengths measured · 121 fish
2013Largemouth bassPresent2per gill net11"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 46 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2025Lengths measured · 22 fish
2021Lengths measured · 48 fish
2017Lengths measured · 67 fish
2013No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few5.1per gill net20"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 97 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 68 fish
2025Lengths measured · 29 fish
2021Lengths measured · 51 fish
2017Lengths measured · 89 fish
2013BluegillFair numbers28per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 772 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 522 fish
2025Lengths measured · 250 fish
2021Lengths measured · 554 fish
2017Lengths measured · 494 fish
2013CrappieJust a few1per trap net10"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 129 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 107 fish
2025Lengths measured · 22 fish
2021Lengths measured · 22 fish
2017Lengths measured · 161 fish
2013Yellow perchGood numbers4.9per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 98 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 87 fish
2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 19 fish
2017Lengths measured · 12 fish
2013Rock bassExcellent numbers5.9per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 132 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 112 fish
2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2021Lengths measured · 17 fish
2017Lengths measured · 55 fish
2013Rates 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 Sybil Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.8 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 74 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 14.8 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 74 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 | 23" | 17" | 29" |
| 2021 | 23" | 15" | 29" |
| 2017 | 27" | 16" | 28" |
| 2013 | 28" | 18" | 29" |
| 2008 | 26" | 18" | 25" |
| 2004 | 24" | 18" | 29" |
| 1999 | 21" | 16" | 25" |
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 · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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 | 3,000 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 7,650 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 2,000 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 23,066 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,346 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,491 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,500 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 8,189 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,937 fingerlings · 5,583 yearlings · 1,003 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Sybil Lake is a 706-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles south of Vergas, MN. Sybil Lake is connected to Loon Lake via an unnavigable inlet along the west shoreline. Sybil Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Sybil Lake has a maximum depth of 74 feet; however, 60% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 15.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings range from 10.8 to 18.0 feet.
Moderate development exists along the shoreline of Sybil Lake. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development, and a resort is located on the east shoreline. A DNR owned public water access is located on the south shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel with some areas of rubble. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush and common cattail) is located primarily in the southwest basin and along the eastern shoreline. These areas provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their important ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent angling this lake has to offer it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat.
Read the full DNR narrative
Sybil Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake, and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present.
The Walleye population continues to be abundant. The 2020-year class is strong and should provide good Walleye angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.7 to 23.8 inches with an average length and weight of 16.8 inches and 1.8 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.9 inches at four years of age. MN DNR Fisheries maintains the Walleye population at a viable level by stocking Walleye fingerlings on an every-other-year basis. The Sybil Lake Association supplements MN DNR stocking with periodic Walleye fingerling stocking.
Northern Pike abundance is moderate. Northern Pike size structure has consistently remained poor. Pike ranged in length from 18.0 to 29.5 inches with an average length and weight of 21.3 inches and 2.0 pounds. Northern Pike reach an average length of 20.9 inches at three years of age.
The Bluegill population is also moderately abundant, but size structure remains poor. Sixteen percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.5 inches at seven years of age.
The Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass populations are abundant and possess quality size structures. Fifty-four percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Crappies reach an average length of 10.3 inches at five years of age. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 8.1 to 17.5 inches with an average length and weight of 13.2 inches and 1.3 pounds. Largemouth Bass reach an average length of 14.2 inches at five years of age.
The Minnesota state record Tullibee was caught from Sybil Lake in 2015. It weighed 5 pounds and 13 ounces.
There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Sybil Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
Sybil Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2016. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native 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
Sybil Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Sybil 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
- Sybil Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Sybil Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- East Loon Lake · 1,044 ac · 1.7 mi
- Long Lake · 1,289 ac · 2.6 mi
- Hoffman Lake · 157 ac · 2.7 mi
- West McDonald Lake · 597 ac · 3.1 mi
- Big McDonald Lake · 992 ac · 3.2 mi
- Rose Lake · 1,201 ac · 3.6 mi
- Little McDonald Lake · 1,316 ac · 3.6 mi
- East Spirit Lake · 561 ac · 3.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Sybil Lake?
Sybil Lake reaches 74 ft at its deepest point; about 62% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Sybil Lake?
Sybil Lake covers 683 acres with about 9.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Sybil Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Sybil Lake average 14.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Sybil Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Sybil Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Sybil Lake have a public access?
Yes. Sybil Lake has one public access site: Sybil Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Sybil Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 23"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.
When was Sybil Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Sybil Lake in 2025, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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