Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Otter Tail County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 145 lakes in Otter Tail County. Of those, 94 earn a grade on this site, and the top 10 are ranked below. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Tenmile Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 33 bluegill per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 10 inches. Dead Lake is second at A, with 33.4 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and 16% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. West Battle Lake is third at A, and its biggest bluegill was 9 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenmile Lake | A | 1,428 | 33/net in trap nets | 12% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Dead Lake | A | 7,546 | 33.4/net in trap nets | 16% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | West Battle Lake | A | 5,615 | 44.3/net in trap nets | 4% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Wall Lake | A | 727 | 77.3/net in trap nets | 9% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Pleasant Lake | A | 385 | 272.2/net in trap nets | 1% | 9" | — | 2025 |
| 6 | Star Lake | A | 4,486 | 13.6/net in trap nets | 34% | 10" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Fish Lake | A | 489 | 39.8/net in trap nets | 24% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Blanche Lake | A | 1,296 | 39.8/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | East Spirit Lake | A− | 561 | 151.7/net in trap nets | 6% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2013 |
| 10 | Marion Lake | A− | 1,624 | 48.4/net in trap nets | 12% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Otter Tail County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill lakes in Minnesota
Grades are based on Minnesota DNR survey data: how many fish the DNR caught (scaled by lake size), how many reached quality size, and the biggest fish measured. Each lake's page has the numbers behind its grade. The table shows each lake's most recent survey year.