Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County Fishing
Otter Tail County, 2,080 acres, 63 feet deep.
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Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County, the basics
Count on 2,080 acres of water at Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County, a lake in Otter Tail County. The DNR depth record tops out at 63 feet, with an average of 24.4 feet. Roughly 37% of the water (764 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Perham 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 2 public water accesses. DNR crews completed a standard survey on June 26, 2017. Walleye came in at 14.83 per gill net, above the normal range for similar lakes (3.3-8.8). Ice goes out around April 20 in a typical year (15 records).
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Figures are from the June 26, 2017 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 178 | 14.83 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.47 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.83 | 0.2-0.8 | 3.28 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 51 | 4.25 | 2.8-9.0 | 2.87 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.58 | 2.08 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 400 | 33.33 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 148 | 12.33 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.08 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.92 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.03 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 17 | 1.42 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.04 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.25 | 0.3-1.3 | 1.11 | 0.2-0.8 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 88 | 7.33 | 0.8-6.2 | 0.26 | 0.6-1.4 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.92 | 1.8-7.8 | 0.2 | 0.1-0.3 |
Gill net results from Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
“Little Pine Lake is a 1,969-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northeastern Otter Tail County approximately two miles north of Perham, MN.”
“Little Pine Lake is a part of the Otter Tail River Watershed and is connected to Big Pine Lake via the Otter Tail River.”
“The Otter Tail River inlet is located along the west shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the southeast shoreline.”
“The Otter Tail River is navigable by boat upstream of Little Pine Lake.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Little Pine Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County by boat
- Little Pine Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Little Pine Lake (SW) Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, City of Perham
Landings around Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County on the map
- Big Pine Lake (W) AccessBig Pine, 2 miles southeast
- Big Pine Lake (N) AccessBig Pine, 2 miles east
- Devils Lake Access near PerhamDevils, 4 miles west
- Nitche Lake AccessNitche, 4 miles southeast
- Big Pine Lake (E) AccessBig Pine, 6 miles southeast
- Silver Lake Access near FrazeeSilver, 7 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
The clarity record for Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County holds 5 Secchi readings going back to 2008.
The DNR record shows Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County opening as early as March 30, 2016 and as late as May 6, 2022.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County level reading
The DNR lake level record for Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum MSL 1912).
Species the DNR has recorded in Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
For the species listed here, Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County follows its own regulations instead of statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | All from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. | |
| Crappie | Daily limit five. | Including Mud Lake west of County Highway 51 and up to 425th Avenue |
| Sunfish | Daily limit 10. | Including Mud Lake west of County Highway 51 and up to 425th Avenue |
| 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 Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County | 2,080 | 63 | 2 | 14.83 | |
| Big Pine Lake, Otter Tail County | 4 miles southeast | 4,728 | 76 | 3 | 18.33 |
| Devils Lake, Otter Tail County | 5 miles west | 355 | 67 | 1 | 1 |
| Moenkedick Lake | 6 miles west | 103 | 35 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Silver Lake near Frazee, Otter Tail County | 7 miles northwest | 239 | 34 | 1 | 1.67 |
| Murphy Lake, Otter Tail County | 7 miles northwest | 317 | 30 | 1 | 0.67 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County, up close
Lakes worth a look near Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
- Big Pine Lake, Otter Tail County4 miles southeast
- Devils Lake, Otter Tail County5 miles west
- Moenkedick Lake6 miles west
- Silver Lake near Frazee, Otter Tail County7 miles northwest
- Murphy Lake, Otter Tail County7 miles northwest
Tackle stops on the way to Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
- Gene's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Perham, 3 miles
- Four Cornersfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Detroit Lakes, 15 miles
- Bluff Creek Outdoorssporting goods store, Bluffton, 17 miles
- J & K Marinamarina, Detroit Lakes, 18 miles
- Lakes Sport Shopsporting goods store, Detroit Lakes, 19 miles
- Quality Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Detroit Lakes, 19 miles
Overnight bases for Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
- Perham3 miles
- Richville9 miles
- Dent9 miles
Counties surrounding Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Piscifun reels to pack for Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
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Reader questions on Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
How far is Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County from a city?
It lies in Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 2 miles from Perham.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County?
2,080 acres, 63 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County?
There are 2 public accesses; Little Pine Lake (SW) Access is the largest.
Does Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How recent is the Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County survey?
Most recently on June 26, 2017 (standard survey). walleye ran 14.83 per gill net.
Does Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County have special regulations?
Walleye: All from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.; Crappie: Daily limit five.
Is a trout stamp needed on Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County?
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 Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County?
Median ice-out is April 20; the last recorded ice-out was May 3, 2023.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County?
Gene's Sport Shop is nearest at 3 miles.
Head for Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.