Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County Fishing
Otter Tail County, 1,413 acres, 55 feet deep.
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Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County in numbers
In Otter Tail County, Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County spreads across 1,413 acres as a lake. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 16.1 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 713 acres, or 50%. Census data put Pelican Rapids nearest, around 7 miles away. The Fergus Falls DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 1 public water access. A standard survey on August 13, 2018 is the newest on file. At 4.33 walleye per gill net, the catch ran within the 3.3-8.8 normal range.
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Read each row against its normal range; data from the standard survey on August 13, 2018.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 39 | 4.33 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.22 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 14 | 1.17 | 0.2-0.8 | 3.33 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 55 | 6.11 | 2.8-9.0 | 1.72 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.42 | 1.51 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.42 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.07 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.11 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.67 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.5 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.56 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 16 | 1.78 | 0.27 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 217 | 18.08 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.2 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.42 | 0.3-1.3 | 1.32 | 0.2-0.8 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 35 | 34.15 | 1.45 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.9 | 0.69 | 0.9-2.0 |
What the Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County gill nets held
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
“Crystal Lake is a 1,317-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately six miles northeast of Pelican Rapids, MN.”
“Crystal Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed.”
“Crystal Lake is connected to Lizzie Lake by a navigable culvert under County Road 31.”
“The maximum depth is 55 feet; however, 51% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Crystal Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
- Crystal Lake Access near Pelican Rapids1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings neighboring Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
- Lida Lake (N) AccessNorth Lida, under a mile southwest
- Franklin Lake (NE) AccessFranklin, 3 miles north
- Franklin Lake (N) AccessFranklin, 3 miles north
- Lizzie Lake River AccessLizzie, 4 miles west
- Lizzie Lake Access near Pelican RapidsLizzie (north portion), 4 miles west
- East Spirit Lake AccessEast Spirit, 4 miles east
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County basin
Secchi disk readings on Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County number 5, the first in 2006.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
Gauge readers send the DNR the Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum MSL 1912).
Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County fish list
The list for Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County follows the DNR LakeFinder record of fish caught in surveys over the last ten years or the latest survey.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Keeping walleye and panfish from Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
These Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County rules take precedence over statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunfish | Daily limit five. |
| 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 |
Zone rows for Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County: North-central Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lakes near Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County | 1,413 | 55 | 1 | 4.33 | |
| Franklin Lake, Otter Tail County | 2 miles northwest | 1,088 | 48 | 2 | 5.33 |
| Otter Lake, Otter Tail County | 2 miles northeast | 77 | 64 | 0 | |
| North Lida Lake | 3 miles south | 5,523 | 58 | 1 | 3.47 |
| Lizzie Lake (north portion) | 3 miles northwest | 1,913 | 66 | 1 | 2.75 |
| East Spirit Lake | 4 miles east | 561 | 38 | 1 | 1.11 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County on the map
Lakes neighboring Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
- Franklin Lake, Otter Tail County2 miles northwest
- Otter Lake, Otter Tail County2 miles northeast
- North Lida Lake3 miles south
- Lizzie Lake (north portion)3 miles northwest
- East Spirit Lake4 miles east
Where to grab leeches near Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
- Park Region Sportssporting goods store, Pelican Rapids, 7 miles
- J & K Marinamarina, Detroit Lakes, 14 miles
- Lakes Sport Shopsporting goods store, Detroit Lakes, 15 miles
- Quality Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Detroit Lakes, 15 miles
- Clay County Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Hawley, 15 miles
- Gene's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Perham, 18 miles
Lodging towns close to Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
- Pelican Rapids7 miles
- Vergas7 miles
- Erhard11 miles
Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County county pages
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Piscifun tackle for a day on Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
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What Minnesota anglers ask about Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County
Where in Minnesota is Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County?
Otter Tail County holds it, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 7 miles from Pelican Rapids.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County?
About 1,413 acres, 55 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County have?
1 public access, including Crystal Lake Access near Pelican Rapids.
Which fish has the DNR found in Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County?
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County?
On August 13, 2018, a standard survey. walleye ran 4.33 per gill net.
What are the limits on Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County?
Sunfish: Daily limit five.
What does a license for Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does the ice go out on Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County?
About 9.5 feet of clarity on average.
Which shop is nearest Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County?
Try Park Region Sports, around 7 miles off.
Get out on Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.