Clitherall Lake Fishing
Otter Tail County, 2,540 acres, 69 feet deep.
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Clitherall Lake, the basics
Count on 2,540 acres of water at Clitherall Lake, a lake in Otter Tail County. The DNR depth record tops out at 69 feet, with an average of 25.9 feet. Roughly 33% of the water (848 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Clitherall sits about 2 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the Fergus Falls area fisheries office.
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The DNR access layer lists 1 public water access. DNR crews completed a standard survey on July 15, 2024. Walleye came in at 5.33 per gill net, within the normal range for similar lakes (4.0-9.6). Ice goes out around April 13 in a typical year (19 records).
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Figures are from the July 15, 2024 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 64 | 5.33 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.17 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.92 | 0.3-0.9 | 1.92 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 42 | 3.5 | 3.0-7.9 | 2.27 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.42 | 2.16 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 24 | 2 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 10 | 0.83 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.57 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 30 | 2.5 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.38 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 13 | 1.08 | 0.19 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 297 | 24.75 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.17 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 47 | 3.92 | 0.3-1.2 | 0.89 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 44 | 3.67 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.46 | 0.3-0.7 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.2-0.9 | 4.96 | 0.9-1.8 |
Gill net results from Clitherall Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Clitherall Lake
“Clitherall Lake is a 2,493-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately one mile south of Clitherall, MN.”
“Clitherall Lake is connected to Crane Lake via a non-navigable inlet along the south shoreline.”
“The maximum depth is 69 feet; however, 32% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth.”
“The secchi disk reading during the 2024 lake survey was 15.5 feet.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Clitherall Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Clitherall Lake by boat
- Clitherall Lake Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings around Clitherall Lake on the map
- West Battle Lake (W) AccessWest Battle, 4 miles northwest
- Ellingson Lake AccessEllingson, 4 miles east
- Molly Stark Lake AccessMolly Stark, 5 miles north
- West Battle Lake (E) AccessWest Battle, 5 miles northeast
- Stuart Lake AccessStuart, 5 miles northeast
- Elbow Lake, Bass Elbow AccessElbow, 5 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Clitherall Lake
The clarity record for Clitherall Lake holds 6 Secchi readings going back to 2006.
The DNR record shows Clitherall Lake opening as early as March 15, 2024 and as late as May 4, 2008.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Clitherall Lake level reading
The DNR lake level record for Clitherall Lake is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species the DNR has recorded in Clitherall Lake
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Clitherall Lake list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Clitherall Lake
For the species listed here, Clitherall Lake follows its own regulations instead of statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession. |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
The pike and bass rows shown are the North-central Zone rows, the zone Clitherall Lake falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Clitherall Lake next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clitherall Lake | 2,540 | 69 | 1 | 5.33 | |
| Crane Lake, Otter Tail County | 2 miles south | 350 | 43 | 0 | 0.67 |
| West Battle Lake | 3 miles north | 5,615 | 108 | 2 | 1.67 |
| Belmont Lake | 4 miles south | 285 | 34 | 0 | |
| Ellingson Lake | 4 miles east | 151 | 19 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Stuart Lake, Otter Tail County | 5 miles northeast | 740 | 49 | 1 | 1.33 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Clitherall Lake, up close
Lakes worth a look near Clitherall Lake
- Crane Lake, Otter Tail County2 miles south
- West Battle Lake3 miles north
- Belmont Lake4 miles south
- Ellingson Lake4 miles east
- Stuart Lake, Otter Tail County5 miles northeast
Tackle stops on the way to Clitherall Lake
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 3 miles
- Big Foot Gas & Groceryfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Vining, 6 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 7 miles
- T & B's Short Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ashby, 13 miles
- Musky Mayhem Tacklebait and tackle shop, Parkers Prairie, 16 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Fergus Falls, 21 miles
Overnight bases for Clitherall Lake
- Clitherall2 miles
- Battle Lake4 miles
- Vining6 miles
Counties surrounding Clitherall Lake
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Piscifun reels to pack for Clitherall Lake
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Reader questions on Clitherall Lake
How far is Clitherall Lake from a city?
It lies in Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 2 miles from Clitherall.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Clitherall Lake?
2,540 acres, 69 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Clitherall Lake?
There are 1 public access; Clitherall Lake Access is the largest.
Does Clitherall Lake have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How recent is the Clitherall Lake survey?
Most recently on July 15, 2024 (standard survey). walleye ran 5.33 per gill net.
Does Clitherall Lake have special regulations?
Smallmouth Bass: All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.
Is a trout stamp needed on Clitherall Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the water clarity of Clitherall Lake?
Median ice-out is April 13; the last recorded ice-out was April 16, 2026.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Clitherall Lake?
Ben's Bait Shop is nearest at 3 miles.
Head for Clitherall Lake
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.