North Lida Lake Fishing
Otter Tail County, 5,523 acres, 58 feet deep.
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The short version on North Lida Lake
North Lida Lake is a lake of 5,523 acres in Otter Tail County. Depth bottoms out near 58 feet, with an average of 17.7 feet. 2,400 acres, about 43% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 6 miles reaches Pelican Rapids, 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 1 public water access around the lake. The most recent standard survey dates to July 30, 2018. The walleye catch of 3.47 per gill net was within the DNR normal range of 3.3-8.8.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 DNR survey results for North Lida Lake
From the standard survey completed July 30, 2018: 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 | 52 | 3.47 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.21 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 12 | 0.86 | 0.2-0.8 | 3.31 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 75 | 5 | 2.8-9.0 | 1.49 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.64 | 2.03 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 16 | 1.07 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.14 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.29 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.48 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 26 | 1.86 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.42 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 63 | 4.2 | 0.15 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 520 | 37.14 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 15 | 1 | 0.3-1.4 | 0.56 | 0.5-1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.79 | 0.3-1.3 | 0.61 | 0.2-0.8 |
Gill net catch on North Lida Lake by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for North Lida Lake
“North Lida Lake is a 5,564-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN.”
“North Lida Lake is connected to South Lida Lake by a navigable culvert under State Highway 108 along the south shoreline.”
“North Lida Lake is also connected to Lizzie Lake via a non-navigable culvert under County Road 4.”
“The maximum depth is 58 feet; however, 43% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for North Lida Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on North Lida Lake
- Lida Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Public accesses close to North Lida Lake
- Crystal Lake Access near Pelican RapidsCrystal, 3 miles north
- Lida Lake (S) AccessSouth Lida, 3 miles south
- Lizzie Lake River AccessLizzie, 4 miles northwest
- Beers Lake AccessBeers, 4 miles south
- Lizzie Lake Access near Pelican RapidsLizzie (north portion), 5 miles northwest
- Prairie Lake Access near Pelican RapidsPrairie, 5 miles west
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of North Lida Lake
7 clarity readings on North Lida Lake date from 2006 onward.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Fish swimming in North Lida Lake
Survey catches from the DNR set this North Lida Lake species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
North Lida Lake rules from the DNR booklet
The DNR posts these special limits on North Lida Lake.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Black and White Crappie | Minimum size limit 11". | Including connecting Mud Lake |
| Sunfish | Daily limit 10. | Including connecting Mud Lake |
| Walleye | All from 17-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. | Including connecting Mud Lake |
| 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 North Lida Lake 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 North Lida Lake stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lida Lake | 5,523 | 58 | 1 | 3.47 | |
| Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County | 3 miles north | 1,413 | 55 | 1 | 4.33 |
| South Lida Lake | 3 miles south | 777 | 48 | 1 | 7.17 |
| Grass Lake, Otter Tail County | 4 miles south | 72 | 21 | 0 | 2 |
| West Silent Lake | 4 miles southeast | 347 | 58 | 2 | 0.56 |
| Bass Lake near Erhard, Otter Tail County | 4 miles south | 34 | 43 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to North Lida Lake
Lakes one stop past North Lida Lake
- Crystal Lake, Otter Tail County3 miles north
- South Lida Lake3 miles south
- Grass Lake, Otter Tail County4 miles south
- West Silent Lake4 miles southeast
- Bass Lake near Erhard, Otter Tail County4 miles south
Bait shops an easy drive from North Lida Lake
- Park Region Sportssporting goods store, Pelican Rapids, 6 miles
- Clay County Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Hawley, 16 miles
- J & K Marinamarina, Detroit Lakes, 17 miles
- Lakes Sport Shopsporting goods store, Detroit Lakes, 17 miles
- Quality Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Detroit Lakes, 18 miles
- Gene's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Perham, 19 miles
Towns to stay in near North Lida Lake
- Pelican Rapids6 miles
- Erhard9 miles
- Vergas9 miles
North Lida Lake and its counties
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Reels and a weigh grip for North Lida Lake
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Catches common at North Lida Lake
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
North Lida Lake, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is North Lida Lake in?
Look in Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 6 miles from Pelican Rapids.
How does North Lida Lake rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 5,523 acres, 58 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves North Lida Lake?
1 public access; Lida Lake (N) Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in North Lida Lake?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
What did the last survey of North Lida Lake find?
The newest is a standard survey from July 30, 2018. walleye ran 3.47 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on North Lida Lake?
Black and White Crappie: Minimum size limit 11".; Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Which Minnesota license do I need on North Lida Lake?
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 North Lida Lake?
Clarity averages 9.9 feet on the Secchi disk.
Who sells leeches near North Lida Lake?
Park Region Sports, about 6 miles away.
Add North Lida Lake to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.