Dead Lake, Otter Tail County Fishing
Otter Tail County, 7,546 acres, 65 feet deep.
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The short version on Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
Dead Lake, Otter Tail County is a lake of 7,546 acres in Otter Tail County. Depth bottoms out near 65 feet, with an average of 9.5 feet. 6,258 acres, about 83% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 5 miles reaches Dent, the nearest city. It falls under the Fergus Falls area fisheries office.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 4 public water accesses around the lake. The most recent standard survey dates to August 19, 2024. The walleye catch of 3.83 per gill net was within the DNR normal range of 3.2-15.3.
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From the standard survey completed August 19, 2024: catch, catch per set and average weight against the DNR normal ranges.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 46 | 3.83 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.31 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.33 | 0.3-1.7 | 2.97 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 45 | 3.75 | 1.2-7.8 | 1.2 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.83 | 0.88 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 21 | 1.75 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.25 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.29 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 6 | 0.5 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.33 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 39 | 3.25 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.29 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 55 | 4.58 | 0.2 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 446 | 37.17 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.14 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 10 | 0.83 | 0.3-1.8 | 1.09 | 0.3-1.1 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 18 | 1.5 | 0.1-0.8 | 0.63 | 0.4-1.5 |
Gill net catch on Dead Lake, Otter Tail County by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
“Dead Lake is a 7,901-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately three miles south of Dent, MN.”
“It is the second largest lake in Otter Tail County.”
“The Dead River outlet is located along the southeast shoreline and flows south into Walker and Otter Tail Lakes.”
“The Walker Lake State Fish Hatchery is located on the Dead River.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Dead Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
- Dead Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Dead Lake Township
- Dead Lake (SE) Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Dead Lake (SW) Access1 ramp, 17 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Dead Lake WMA Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife
Public accesses close to Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
- Star Lake, E Quiram AccessStar, 4 miles northwest
- Walker Lake AccessWalker, 4 miles southeast
- Pickerel Lake Access near UnderwoodPickerel, 5 miles southwest
- Twin Lake Access near Battle LakeTwin, 5 miles south
- Round Lake Access near DentRound, 6 miles north
- Star Lake, N 108 AccessStar, 6 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
17 clarity readings on Dead Lake, Otter Tail County date from 2006 onward.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Dead Lake, Otter Tail County is running
Readings in the DNR record for Dead Lake, Otter Tail County come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum MSL 1912).
Fish swimming in Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
Survey catches from the DNR set this Dead Lake, Otter Tail County species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Dead Lake, Otter Tail County rules from the DNR booklet
Statewide inland limits cover Dead Lake, Otter Tail County; the DNR lists no special rule for it.
| 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 |
By location Dead Lake, Otter Tail County belongs to the North-central Zone; check posted boundaries near the lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
How Dead Lake, Otter Tail County stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Lake, Otter Tail County | 7,546 | 65 | 4 | 3.83 | |
| Lone Pine Lake | 3 miles northeast | 88 | 79 | 0 | |
| Pickerel Lake near Dent, Otter Tail County, 849 acres | 4 miles southwest | 849 | 78 | 1 | 20.33 |
| Walker Lake | 5 miles southeast | 578 | 29 | 1 | 1.33 |
| Pine Lake, Otter Tail County | 5 miles north | 72 | 94 | 0 | 0.2 |
| Star Lake, Otter Tail County | 5 miles northwest | 4,486 | 94 | 2 | 9.47 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
Lakes one stop past Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
- Lone Pine Lake3 miles northeast
- Pickerel Lake near Dent, Otter Tail County, 849 acres4 miles southwest
- Walker Lake5 miles southeast
- Pine Lake, Otter Tail County5 miles north
- Star Lake, Otter Tail County5 miles northwest
Bait shops an easy drive from Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
- Gene's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Perham, 12 miles
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 14 miles
- Park Region Sportssporting goods store, Pelican Rapids, 17 miles
- Big Foot Gas & Groceryfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Vining, 18 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Fergus Falls, 21 miles
- Bluff Creek Outdoorssporting goods store, Bluffton, 23 miles
Towns to stay in near Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
- Dent5 miles
- Richville6 miles
- Ottertail9 miles
Dead Lake, Otter Tail County and its counties
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Reels and a weigh grip for Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
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Catches common at Dead Lake, Otter Tail County
Photo: Fizzishin, CC BY 4.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dead Lake, Otter Tail County, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Dead Lake, Otter Tail County in?
Look in Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 5 miles from Dent.
How does Dead Lake, Otter Tail County rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 7,546 acres, 65 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Dead Lake, Otter Tail County?
4 public accesses; Dead Lake WMA Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Dead Lake, Otter Tail County?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
What did the last survey of Dead Lake, Otter Tail County find?
The newest is a standard survey from August 19, 2024. walleye ran 3.83 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Dead Lake, Otter Tail County?
The statewide table covers it (North-central Zone).
Which Minnesota license do I need on Dead Lake, Otter Tail County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Is there a level gauge on Dead Lake, Otter Tail County?
Clarity averages 6.2 feet on the Secchi disk.
Who sells leeches near Dead Lake, Otter Tail County?
Gene's Sport Shop, about 12 miles away.
Add Dead Lake, Otter Tail County to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.