West Battle Lake Fishing
Otter Tail County, 5,615 acres, 108 feet deep.
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West Battle Lake, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts West Battle Lake, a lake in Otter Tail County, at 5,615 acres. Maximum depth is 108 feet, with an average of 23.1 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 2,570 acres (46%). Clitherall is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 2 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Fergus Falls manages it. DNR records count it among muskie lakes (introduced).
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boaters have 2 public water accesses. The last DNR standard survey ran on July 8, 2024. Walleye catch rates sat below normal: 1.67 per gill net against 3.3-8.8. Open water typically returns near April 16, per 52 DNR records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on West Battle Lake
The standard survey of July 8, 2024 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 25 | 1.67 | 3.3-8.8 | 2.11 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 0.2-0.8 | 3.69 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 84 | 5.6 | 2.8-9.0 | 2.05 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.4 | 3.06 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 154 | 10.27 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 8 | 0.53 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.6 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.26 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 58 | 3.87 | 0.09 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 664 | 44.27 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.1 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 8 | 0.53 | 0.3-1.4 | 1.06 | 0.5-1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 40 | 2.67 | 0.3-1.3 | 0.65 | 0.2-0.8 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 41 | 2.73 | 0.18 |
West Battle Lake gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on West Battle Lake
“West Battle Lake is a 5,624-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County.”
“The city of Battle Lake, Minnesota abuts the west shoreline.”
“The maximum depth is 108 feet; however, 44% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth.”
“Water clarity in this lake is excellent; the secchi disk reading was 23.5 feet.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for West Battle Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around West Battle Lake
- West Battle Lake (E) Access2 ramps, 27 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- West Battle Lake (W) Access2 ramps, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, City of Battle Lake
Water accesses near West Battle Lake
- Molly Stark Lake AccessMolly Stark, 2 miles northwest
- Annie Battle Lake AccessAnnie Battle, 3 miles north
- Stuart Lake AccessStuart, 4 miles east
- Silver Lake Access near Battle LakeThird Silver (Main Bay), 4 miles west
- Blanche Lake AccessBlanche, 4 miles north
- Ellingson Lake AccessEllingson, 5 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
West Battle Lake basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 5 Secchi readings on West Battle Lake since 2007.
On West Battle Lake, recorded ice-out dates run from March 19, 2024 to May 13, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on West Battle Lake
DNR gauge readers record West Battle Lake by hand; the last entry is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum MSL 1912).
Fish found in West Battle Lake
Every species shown for West Battle Lake turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on West Battle Lake
West Battle Lake carries special regulations, and they override the statewide rows below for those species.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Daily limit five. |
| 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 |
West Battle Lake sits in the North-central Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Heaviest fish from West Battle Lake
| Species | Weight | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | 8 lb 0 oz | non certified weight |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out. All records.
Sizing up West Battle Lake against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Battle Lake | 5,615 | 108 | 2 | 1.67 | |
| Molly Stark Lake | 2 miles northwest | 152 | 48 | 1 | 1.17 |
| Annie Battle Lake | 2 miles north | 354 | 51 | 1 | 1.33 |
| Clitherall Lake | 3 miles south | 2,540 | 69 | 1 | 5.33 |
| First Silver Lake | 4 miles west | 529 | 43 | 0 | 11.22 |
| Stuart Lake, Otter Tail County | 4 miles east | 740 | 49 | 1 | 1.33 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of West Battle Lake
More Minnesota lakes near West Battle Lake
- Molly Stark Lake2 miles northwest
- Annie Battle Lake2 miles north
- Clitherall Lake3 miles south
- First Silver Lake4 miles west
- Stuart Lake, Otter Tail County4 miles east
Minnow buckets filled near West Battle Lake
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 3 miles
- Big Foot Gas & Groceryfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Vining, 6 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 10 miles
- T & B's Short Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ashby, 16 miles
- Musky Mayhem Tacklebait and tackle shop, Parkers Prairie, 18 miles
- Gene's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Perham, 21 miles
Towns within an easy drive of West Battle Lake
- Clitherall2 miles
- Battle Lake3 miles
- Vining6 miles
Counties that West Battle Lake reaches
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Four Piscifun picks for West Battle Lake
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Fish to look for at West Battle Lake
Photo: Georg Mittenecker, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 4.0
Handy answers on West Battle Lake
Which DNR office covers West Battle Lake?
In Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 2 miles from Clitherall.
What is the maximum depth of West Battle Lake?
The DNR record gives 5,615 acres, 108 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on West Battle Lake?
2 public accesses, with West Battle Lake (E) Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in West Battle Lake?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
When did the DNR last survey West Battle Lake?
July 8, 2024, in a standard survey. walleye ran 1.67 per gill net.
Are there size limits on West Battle Lake?
Crappie: Daily limit five.
Do kids need a license on West Battle Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is West Battle Lake?
The record gives April 16 as the median and April 16, 2026 as the latest.
Where are minnows sold near West Battle Lake?
Drive 3 miles to reach Ben's Bait Shop.
Plan a lake day on West Battle Lake
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.