Minnesota rivers
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Otter Tail River Fishing
Otter Tail County, Becker County and Wilkin County, Otter Tail River State Water Trail.
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Minnesota rivers
The Otter Tail River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Otter Tail River, a river of Otter Tail County, Becker County and Wilkin County. The DNR route line covers close to 187 miles. For minnows and gas, Fergus Falls is about 4 miles away. It carries the Otter Tail River State Water Trail designation.
USGS runs 2 active gauges on it. The access list holds 31 public accesses.
187miles mapped
3counties
2USGS gauges
31public accesses
Flow
Discharge on the Otter Tail River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth, Mn | 294 cfs, 5.56 ft gage height | Nov 12 2:00 am |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls, Mn | 334 cfs, 2.66 ft gage height | Nov 12 2:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 2:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Access
Reaching the Otter Tail River by boat
- Blackbird Lake (SW) Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Becker County, river mile 165.7
- Height of Land Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Becker County, river mile 163.7
- Height of Land Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, toilet, Becker County, river mile 163.7
- Otter Tail River, Wannigan Road Access1 ramp, Becker County, river mile 152.1
- Otter Tail River, Riverside Park Access1 ramp, 1 trailer stalls, Becker County, river mile 145
- Town Lake Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Becker County, river mile 143.4
- Rice Lake Access near Frazee1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 137.5
- Little Pine Lake (SW) Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Otter Tail County, river mile 126.4
- Little Pine Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Otter Tail County, river mile 124.7
- Big Pine Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 123.5
- Big Pine Lake (W) Access2 ramps, 36 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Otter Tail County, river mile 123.4
- Rush Lake (W) Access near Ottertail1 ramp, 18 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Otter Tail County, river mile 105.6
- Otter Tail Lake, Sportsman (E) Access2 ramps, 30 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Otter Tail County, river mile 100.9
- Otter Tail Lake, Riviera (N) Access1 ramp, 36 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Otter Tail County, river mile 100.3
- Otter Tail Lake (W) Access1 ramp, Otter Tail County, river mile 92.8
- Otter Tail Lake, Riverside Access2 ramps, 12 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Otter Tail County, river mile 92.8
- Otter Tail River, Hwy 72, Riverside Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 92.8
- Deer Lake Access near Battle Lake1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Otter Tail County, river mile 90.7
- East Lost Lake Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 89.5
- Otter Tail River, Phelps Mill Access1 ramp, toilet, Otter Tail County, river mile 84.6
- West Lost Lake Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 81.4
- West Red River Lake Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Otter Tail County, river mile 73.3
- Otter Tail River, Taplin Gorge/Friberg Dam Access1 ramp, Otter Tail County, river mile 71.3
- Otter Tail River, Diversion Dam Access1 ramp, Otter Tail County, river mile 64.1
- Otter Tail River, Hwy 1 Access1 ramp, Otter Tail County, river mile 62.4
- Otter Tail River, Hwy 210 Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 56
- Otter Tail River, Mt. Faith Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 51
- Otter Tail River Resevoir, Robert Hannah Recreational Area Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, Otter Tail County, river mile 48.8
- Dayton Hollow Reservoir Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Otter Tail County, river mile 41
- Orwell Reservoir Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Otter Tail County, river mile 36.2
- Breckenridge Lake Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, toilet, Wilkin County, river mile 8
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Pools
Surveyed water on the Otter Tail River
- Otter Tail River(Red Rive313 acres
Limits
Booklet rules for the Otter Tail River
Every limit on the Otter Tail River is in the table below.
| 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 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
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Beyond the shore of Otter Tail River
More Minnesota lakes near Otter Tail River
- Spring Lake, Otter Tail County1 mile
- Wall Lake1 mile
- Wright Lake2 miles
- Hoot Lake3 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Otter Tail River
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Fergus Falls, 5 miles
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 13 miles
- T & B's Short Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ashby, 15 miles
- Chumpy's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Elbow Lake, 20 miles
- Park Region Sportssporting goods store, Pelican Rapids, 20 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Otter Tail River
- Fergus Falls4 miles
- Underwood6 miles
- Dalton8 miles
- Elizabeth10 miles
Streams neighboring the Otter Tail River
- Pomme de Terre River21 miles
- Pelican River, Otter Tail County24 miles
- Mustinka River29 miles
- Lawndale Creek29 miles
Counties that Otter Tail River reaches
- Otter Tail County
- Becker County
- Wilkin County
Piscifun
Four Piscifun picks for the Otter Tail River
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Fish guide
Fish to look for at Otter Tail River
Photo: Hardyplants, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Answers
Reader questions on the Otter Tail River
How do I drive to the Otter Tail River?
Through Otter Tail County, Becker County and Wilkin County.
May I keep trout from the Otter Tail River?
No; it carries no trout designation.
Where can I check discharge on the Otter Tail River?
There are 2 USGS gauges, listed above.
Which accesses reach the Otter Tail River?
The DNR layer lists 31 public accesses; Town Lake Access is one.
Are there special DNR rules on the Otter Tail River?
Only statewide limits.
Is a stamp needed on the Otter Tail River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who sells leeches near the Otter Tail River?
Fleet Farm, about 5 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Otter Tail River?
Fergus Falls, some 4 miles off by air.
Which species does the Otter Tail River hold?
The DNR lists black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish.
Work the Otter Tail River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.