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We want to see what you've caught on Ellingson Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Ellingson Lake, MN
- How big is Ellingson Lake?
- How deep is Ellingson Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Ellingson Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Ellingson Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Ellingson Lake area?
- Are there bait or tackle shops near Ellingson Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Ellingson Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Ellingson Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Ellingson Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Ellingson Lake?
How big is Ellingson Lake?
How deep is Ellingson Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Ellingson Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Ellingson Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Ellingson Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there bait or tackle shops near Ellingson Lake?
Are there boat launches on Ellingson Lake?
Ellingson Lake area businesses:
Are there places to eat and drink near Ellingson Lake?
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History & Status of the Fishery
Ellingson Lake is a 138-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in southeastern Otter Tail County approximately three miles southeast of Clitherall, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. A non-navigable outlet is located along the southeast shoreline. The maximum depth is 19 feet; however, 71% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2006 lake survey was 4.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.0 to 3.5 feet. The MN DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Ellingson Lake is included in lake class 34; other area lakes in this same classification include Block, Deer, Round, Tonseth, and Walker. Shoreline development around the lake is minimal. Two houses were counted during the 2000 lake survey. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southeast shoreline. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) is prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Ellingson Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. These species are prolific because of the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. Northern pike abundance increased slightly from the 2000 survey but the size structure decreased. Only 8% of the northern pike were 24.0 inches or greater iin length. Pike ranged in length from 14.8 to 29.1 inches with a mean length and weight of 20.4 inches and 1.9 pounds. Bluegill abundance has increased dramatically and has reached a historical high. Size structure is also very good. Forty-two percent of the bluegills in the trap net sample were at least 7.0 inches in length. Bluegills in the trap net sample ranged in length from 3.7 to 9.3 inches. A spring trap net assessment for black crappies yielded a CPUE of 5.1 per net. Black crappies ranged in length from 3.6 to 10.9 inches with a mean length of 8.1 inches. PSD and RSD-P values were 80 and 4, respectively. A spring electrofishing assessment for largemouth bass yielded a CPUE of 30.1 fish per hour. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 4.4 to 13.9 inches with a mean length of 7.6 inches, whereas largemouth sampled during the spring trap net assessment ranged in length from 10.5 to 17.9 inches with a mean length of 15.6 inches. The walleye abundance in Ellingson Lake is considered low but the quality of the walleyes that are present is very good. Walleyes ranged in length from 22.8 to 29.5 inches with a mean length and weight of 26.9 inches and 6.7 pounds. Walleye fry stocking appears to be supplementing limited natural reproduction. Walleye management includes triennial walleye fry stocking. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
What is the average air temp for Ellingson Lake?
Are there any state parks near Ellingson Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Ellingson Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Siverson Lake | 0.7 mi | 138 | 41 ft |
Stuart Lake | 2.1 mi | 747 | 49 ft |
East Battle Lake | 3.6 mi | 1,985 | 87 ft |
Clitherall Lake | 4.5 mi | 2,540 | 69 ft |
Belmont Lake | 4.6 mi | 285 | 34 ft |
Crane Lake | 4.8 mi | 350 | 43 ft |
West Battle Lake | 5.1 mi | 5,565 | 108 ft |
Hancock Lake | 6.5 mi | 182 | 23 ft |
Molly Stark Lake | 6.7 mi | 152 | 48 ft |
Block Lake | 7.0 mi | 290 | 23 ft |