Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Otter Tail County
30 surveyed smallmouth bass lakes sit in Otter Tail County; 21 cleared this site's grade rubric, which reads DNR survey catch rates, size structure and trophy history the same way the live map does for every lake. The top 10 are ranked here.
Hoot Lake leads at grade A−, with 39.4 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey and a 20-inch fish the biggest measured. Clitherall Lake is next at B, 100% of the smallmouth bass netted over 15 inches. Tenmile Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 19-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoot Lake | A− | 161 | 39.4/hr in electrofishing | 74% | 20" | — | 2025 |
| 2 | Clitherall Lake | B | 2,540 | — | 100% | 20" | 5 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Tenmile Lake | B− | 1,428 | — | 70% | 19" | 2.7 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Clear Lake | B− | 399 | — | 50% | 19" | 2.1 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Pelican Lake | B− | 3,962 | — | 41% | 19" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Otter Tail Lake | B− | 14,079 | — | 31% | 19" | 1.5 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | East Silent Lake | B− | 324 | — | 25% | 18" | 1.3 lb | 2022 |
| 8 | Prairie Lake | B− | 1,004 | — | 50% | 18" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Lizzie (north portion) Lake | B− | 1,913 | 2/hr in electrofishing | 35% | 20" | 1.6 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Wall Lake | B− | 727 | 6.5/hr in electrofishing | 14% | 16" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Otter Tail County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth bass lakes in Minnesota
Grades are this site's rubric over Minnesota DNR survey data (catch per unit effort against DNR benchmarks, size structure, trophy history). See any lake's page for the underlying numbers. Survey years vary by lake; the table shows each lake's latest.