Lake Ethel

How big is Lake Ethel?

How deep is Lake Ethel?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Ethel?

What are the closest cities to Lake Ethel?

Are there boat launches on Lake Ethel?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Ethel?

Ethel Lake is a 194-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately seven miles northeast of Battle Lake, MN. The maximum depth of the lake is 64 feet; however, 35% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The shoreline length is 3.2 miles. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The secchi disk reading during the 2014 survey was 22.1 feet. The secchi disk reading has ranged from 8.0 to 23.0 feet in previous surveys.
A DNR owned public access is located at the northeast end of the lake off of County Road 5. Parking at the access is very limited. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Shoreline development has increased substantially in recent years. Emergent aquatic plants, mainly hardstem bulrush and common cattails, are located in scattered stands around the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their important ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Ethel 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, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present. Suitable spawning habitat for these species exists throughout the lake.
A moderately high density Northern Pike population exists. Northern Pike size structure has consistently been poor. Northern Pike ranged in length from 12.2 to 28.5 inches with a mean length and weight of 17.6 inches and 1.5 pounds. Northern Pike growth rates continue to be slow. Pike attain an average length of 18.5 inches at four years of age.
Largemouth bass ranged in length from 6.4 to 14.8 inches. Age data from recent assessments indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass attain an average length of 13.4 inches at five years of age.
Bluegill abundance has historically been high; however, size structure remains good. Sixty percent of the bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.9 inches five years of age.
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 the 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

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Are there any state parks near Lake Ethel?