Otter Tail Lake Fishing
Otter Tail County, 14,079 acres, 120 feet deep.
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Key facts on Otter Tail Lake
Otter Tail Lake covers 14,079 acres of Otter Tail County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 120 feet, with an average of 24.9 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 6,717 acres, roughly 48% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Ottertail, about 5 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Fergus Falls oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 4 public water accesses sit on the shore, 3 of them trailer launches. DNR netting for the population assessment took place on September 7, 2004. The DNR counted 14.45 walleye per gill net, within its normal range of 3.3-14.8. Across 51 ice-out records the median date is April 16.
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Catch per net set from the population assessment dated September 7, 2004, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 289 | 14.45 | 3.3-14.8 | 0.94 | 0.9-1.5 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 63 | 3.15 | 0.9-4.3 | 2.88 | 2.4-4.3 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 1,331 | 66.55 | 9.9-57.1 | 0.13 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.51 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.0-0.2 | 2.92 | 0.8-1.5 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 34 | 1.7 | 4.9-17.6 | 0.58 | 0.4-0.5 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.25 | 0.2 | ||
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 31 | 1.55 | 0.1-1.1 | 0.61 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Lake sturgeon | Standard gill nets | 10 | 0.5 | 3.38 | ||
| Yellow bullhead | Standard gill nets | 35 | 1.75 | 0.1-1.1 | 1.2 | 0.6-1.1 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard gill nets | 6 | 0.3 | 0.1-0.6 | 1.46 | 0.6-1.2 |
Fish per species in the Otter Tail Lake gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Otter Tail Lake
“Located in the heart of Otter Tail County is Otter Tail Lake, the largest lake in the county at 13,728 surface acres.”
“Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes.”
“Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream and Deer, East Lost, and West Lost lakes are located downstream.”
“Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River along the north shoreline and the Dead River along the northwest shoreline.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Otter Tail Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Otter Tail Lake
- Otter Tail Lake, Riverside Access2 ramps, 12 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Otter Tail Lake, Sportsman (E) Access2 ramps, 30 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Otter Tail Lake, Riviera (N) Access1 ramp, 36 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Otter Tail Lake (W) Access1 ramp, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Boat launches serving Otter Tail Lake
- Blanche Lake AccessBlanche, 3 miles south
- Walker Lake AccessWalker, 3 miles north
- Long Lake Access near OttertailLong, 3 miles northeast
- Ethel Lake AccessEthel, 4 miles southeast
- Otter Tail Lake, Pelican Bay AccessPelican Bay, 4 miles east
- Little Pickerel AccessPickerel, 4 miles east
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Otter Tail Lake gets
Otter Tail Lake has 7 clarity readings on file since 2007.
Ice has left Otter Tail Lake as early as March 16, 2024 and as late as May 13, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Otter Tail Lake
This Otter Tail Lake series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum MSL 1912).
Species in the Otter Tail Lake surveys
LakeFinder builds the Otter Tail Lake list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Otter Tail Lake
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Otter Tail 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 |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Otter Tail Lake; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Tournaments on Otter Tail Lake
Results and permits from Otter Tail Lake sit on their own page.
Nearby lakes against Otter Tail Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail Lake | 14,079 | 120 | 4 | 14.45 | |
| Walker Lake | 3 miles north | 578 | 29 | 1 | 1.33 |
| Hanson Lake, Otter Tail County | 3 miles southeast | 46 | 65 | 0 | |
| Ethel Lake | 4 miles southeast | 191 | 64 | 1 | 1.17 |
| Blanche Lake | 4 miles south | 1,296 | 64 | 1 | 3.22 |
| Pickerel Lake near Ottertail, Otter Tail County | 4 miles east | 71 | 73 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Otter Tail Lake
Neighbor lakes around Otter Tail Lake
- Walker Lake3 miles north
- Hanson Lake, Otter Tail County3 miles southeast
- Ethel Lake4 miles southeast
- Blanche Lake4 miles south
- Pickerel Lake near Ottertail, Otter Tail County4 miles east
Bait and tackle closest to Otter Tail Lake
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 9 miles
- Big Foot Gas & Groceryfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Vining, 11 miles
- Gene's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Perham, 14 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 17 miles
- Bluff Creek Outdoorssporting goods store, Bluffton, 19 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Fergus Falls, 22 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Otter Tail Lake
- Ottertail5 miles
- Richville7 miles
- Battle Lake8 miles
Otter Tail Lake, county lines
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Piscifun gear suited to Otter Tail Lake
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Otter Tail Lake questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Otter Tail Lake?
Find it in Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 5 miles from Ottertail.
How deep is Otter Tail Lake?
Roughly 14,079 acres, 120 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Otter Tail Lake?
Try Otter Tail Lake, Sportsman (E) Access, one of 4 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Otter Tail Lake?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How does Otter Tail Lake compare in DNR nets?
The population assessment of September 7, 2004. walleye ran 14.45 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Otter Tail Lake?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Otter Tail Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the ice-out date for Otter Tail Lake?
April 16 is the median; it went out April 17, 2026 most recently.
Which bait shop is closest to Otter Tail Lake?
Ben's Bait Shop is about 9 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Otter Tail Lake
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.