Stalker Lake Fishing
Otter Tail County, 1,357 acres, 95 feet deep.
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Stalker Lake, the basics
Count on 1,357 acres of water at Stalker Lake, a lake in Otter Tail County. The DNR depth record tops out at 95 feet, with an average of 20.7 feet. Roughly 45% of the water (608 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Dalton sits about 5 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 1 public water access. DNR crews completed a standard survey on August 6, 2018. Walleye came in at 2.67 per gill net, below the normal range for similar lakes (3.3-8.8).
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Figures are from the August 6, 2018 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 24 | 2.67 | 3.3-8.8 | 2.4 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.17 | 0.2-0.8 | 4.43 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 33 | 3.67 | 2.8-9.0 | 2.49 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.33 | 3.23 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 30 | 3.33 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 24 | 2 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.11 | 0.4-2.7 | 1.38 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.5 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.41 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 12 | 1.33 | 0.09 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 584 | 48.67 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.04 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.11 | 0.3-1.4 | 1.87 | 0.5-1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.25 | 0.3-1.3 | 3.17 | 0.2-0.8 |
Gill net results from Stalker Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Stalker Lake
“Stalker Lake is a 1,280-acre lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately seven miles southeast of Underwood, MN.”
“Stalker Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed.”
“The Pomme de Terre River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline of the lake.”
“The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest interspersed with areas of agricultural land.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Stalker Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Stalker Lake by boat
- Stalker Lake Access1 ramp, 11 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings around Stalker Lake on the map
- Long Lake Access near DaltonLong, 1 mile southeast
- Johnson Lake Access near DaltonJohnson, 2 miles southwest
- Fiske Lake AccessFiske, 4 miles northeast
- German Lake Access near UnderwoodGerman, 4 miles north
- Sewell Lake AccessSewell, 4 miles south
- Jolly Ann Lake AccessJolly Ann, 5 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Stalker Lake
The clarity record for Stalker Lake holds 5 Secchi readings going back to 2006.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Stalker Lake level reading
The DNR lake level record for Stalker Lake is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species the DNR has recorded in Stalker Lake
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Stalker Lake list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Stalker Lake
No special regulation names Stalker Lake, so the statewide inland rows apply.
| 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 Stalker Lake falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Stalker Lake next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalker Lake | 1,357 | 95 | 1 | 2.67 | |
| Johannes Lake | 1 mile south | 134 | 46 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Long Lake near Dalton, Otter Tail County | 2 miles southeast | 395 | 88 | 1 | 1 |
| Long Lake near Underwood, Otter Tail County, 204 acres | 2 miles north | 204 | 24 | 0 | 1 |
| Steenerson Lake | 2 miles west | 49 | 56 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Johnson Lake, Otter Tail County | 3 miles southwest | 419 | 32 | 1 | 1.44 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Stalker Lake, up close
Lakes worth a look near Stalker Lake
- Johannes Lake1 mile south
- Long Lake near Dalton, Otter Tail County2 miles southeast
- Long Lake near Underwood, Otter Tail County, 204 acres2 miles north
- Steenerson Lake2 miles west
- Johnson Lake, Otter Tail County3 miles southwest
Tackle stops on the way to Stalker Lake
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 7 miles
- T & B's Short Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ashby, 8 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 11 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Fergus Falls, 14 miles
- Big Foot Gas & Groceryfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Vining, 15 miles
- Chumpy's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Elbow Lake, 17 miles
Overnight bases for Stalker Lake
- Dalton5 miles
- Underwood6 miles
- Battle Lake7 miles
Counties surrounding Stalker Lake
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Piscifun reels to pack for Stalker Lake
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Reader questions on Stalker Lake
How far is Stalker Lake from a city?
It lies in Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 5 miles from Dalton.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Stalker Lake?
1,357 acres, 95 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Stalker Lake?
There are 1 public access; Stalker Lake Access is the largest.
Does Stalker Lake have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and cisco.
How recent is the Stalker Lake survey?
Most recently on August 6, 2018 (standard survey). walleye ran 2.67 per gill net.
Does Stalker Lake have special regulations?
Only statewide limits, North-central Zone for pike and bass.
Is a trout stamp needed on Stalker Lake?
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 Stalker Lake?
Average Secchi clarity is 6.4 feet.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Stalker Lake?
Ben's Bait Shop is nearest at 7 miles.
Head for Stalker Lake
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.