Minnesota · Otter Tail County
West Leaf Lake Fishing guide
West Leaf Lake covers 700 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 55 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 10.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.7per gill net17"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 47 fish
2022Lengths measured · 44 fish
2017Lengths measured · 56 fish
2010Lengths measured · 34 fish
2004Largemouth bassJust a few7.2per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 18 fish
2022Lengths measured · 17 fish
2017Lengths measured · 68 fish
2010Lengths measured · 66 fish
2004Northern pikeJust a few5.3per gill net20"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 59 fish
2022Lengths measured · 52 fish
2017Lengths measured · 97 fish
2010Lengths measured · 72 fish
2004BluegillJust a few10.8per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 142 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 142 fish
2022Lengths measured · 225 fish
2017Lengths measured · 251 fish
2010Lengths measured · 498 fish
2004CrappieJust a few0.2per trap net10"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1 fish
2017Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2010Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2004Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rock bassExcellent numbers3.6per gill net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 47 fish
2022Lengths measured · 17 fish
2017Lengths measured · 14 fish
2010Lengths measured · 24 fish
2004Rates 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 West Leaf Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10.5 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 55 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 10.5 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 55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24" | 18" | 27" |
| 2017 | 24" | 17" | 28" |
| 2010 | 28" | 15" | 26" |
| 2004 | 28" | 16" | 37" |
| 1999 | 29" | 14" | 32" |
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 | 256,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 100,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 256,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 256,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 500 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 256,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 184 yearlings · 768 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in West Leaf Lake was conducted on July 25, 2022 by Fergus Falls Area Fisheries 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 all fourteen sampling stations, but two stations were moved a short distance due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at seven stations, and soft sediments and abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2022 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., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). 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.
Read the full DNR narrative
Results from this survey indicates West Leaf Lake is in good health as indicated by a high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Leaf River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
West Leaf Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on West Leaf 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
- West Leaf Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
West Leaf Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Portage (main bay) Lake · 269 ac · 1.8 mi
- Middle Leaf Lake · 404 ac · 1.9 mi
- Donalds Lake · 166 ac · 2.8 mi
- East Leaf Lake · 423 ac · 3.5 mi
- Buchanan Lake · 964 ac · 4 mi
- Rush Lake · 5,276 ac · 5.5 mi
- Round Lake · 273 ac · 6.8 mi
- Ethel Lake · 191 ac · 7.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is West Leaf Lake?
West Leaf Lake reaches 55 ft at its deepest point; about 37% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is West Leaf Lake?
West Leaf Lake covers 700 acres with about 6.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in West Leaf Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on West Leaf Lake average 10.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in West Leaf Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is West Leaf Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does West Leaf Lake have a public access?
Yes. West Leaf Lake has one public access site: West Leaf Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in West Leaf 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 1999.
When was West Leaf Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed West Leaf Lake in 2022, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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