Minnesota · Otter Tail County
West McDonald Lake Fishing guide
West McDonald Lake is a 597-acre lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 62 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers5.1per gill net17"Typical21"Biggest
Lengths measured · 51 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 51 fish
2019Lengths measured · 80 fish
2015Lengths measured · 173 fish
2011Lengths measured · 66 fish
2007Largemouth bassFair numbers25.4per hr (electrofishing)9"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 45 fish
2025Lengths measured · 43 fish
2019Lengths measured · 31 fish
2015Lengths measured · 133 fish
2011Northern pikeJust a few4.4per gill net19"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 44 fish
2019Lengths measured · 44 fish
2015Lengths measured · 53 fish
2011Lengths measured · 26 fish
2007Rock bassExcellent numbers2.1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 20 fish
2019Lengths measured · 15 fish
2015Lengths measured · 63 fish
2011Lengths measured · 29 fish
2007Rates 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 McDonald Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.2 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 62 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 14.2 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 62 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 | Bluegill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | 19" | — |
| 2019 | 21" | 15" | 9" |
| 2015 | 24" | 13" | 8" |
| 2011 | 26" | 18" | 8" |
| 2007 | 23" | 16" | 9" |
| 2003 | 27" | 18" | 10" |
| 1999 | 19" | 15" | 8" |
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
Bluegill · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
Bluegill · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
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 | 3,375 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 4,429 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,250 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 7,154 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 536 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,677 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,672 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 7,166 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 2,700 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 600 fingerlings · 1,395 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
West McDonald Lake is a 573-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County, approximately four miles south of Vergas, MN. West McDonald Lake is within the Otter Tail River Watershed. There are no inlets or outlets connected to West McDonald Lake. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 75 feet; however, 32% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical Secchi disk readings have ranged from 13.2 to 17.1 feet.
The majority of the shoreline of West McDonald Lake has been extensively developed with homes and cabins. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located off of County Road 85 along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist of sand and gravel. Small stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered along the south and east shorelines of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as 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. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat.
Read the full DNR narrative
West McDonald Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species.
A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. Survey data indicate that Largemouth Bass abundance, growth, and reproduction occur at moderate levels. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 4.5 to 19.7 inches with an average length of 10.1 inches. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 12.3 inches at five years of age.
Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing 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 will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
West McDonald Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. 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
West McDonald Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on West McDonald 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
- Hoffman Lake (trailer launch)
- West McDonald Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
West McDonald Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Hoffman Lake · 157 ac · 0.6 mi
- Big McDonald Lake · 992 ac · 0.9 mi
- McDonald Lake · 561 ac · 1.7 mi
- Round Lake · 173 ac · 2 mi
- Sybil Lake · 683 ac · 3.1 mi
- East Silent Lake · 324 ac · 3.5 mi
- East Loon Lake · 1,044 ac · 3.8 mi
- East Spirit Lake · 561 ac · 3.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is West McDonald Lake?
West McDonald Lake reaches 62 ft at its deepest point; about 31% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is West McDonald Lake?
West McDonald Lake covers 597 acres with about 4.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in West McDonald Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on West McDonald Lake average 14.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in West McDonald Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is West McDonald Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does West McDonald Lake have a public access?
Yes. West McDonald Lake has 2 public access sites, including Hoffman Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in West McDonald Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 21"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.
When was West McDonald Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed West McDonald Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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