Marion Lake

How big is Marion Lake?

How deep is Marion Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Marion Lake?

Are there boat launches on Marion Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Marion Lake?

Marion Lake is a 1,664-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles southwest of Perham, MN. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The lake is composed of two basins which are separated by a peninsula. Boats can navigate between the basins using a narrow channel along the north shore. The west basin has a maximum depth of 30 feet while the east basin has a maximum depth of 62 feet. Forty-one percent of the lake area is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading was 12.3 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 9.0 to 15.0 feet.
The shoreline of Marion Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. A state owned public access is located along the southeast shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel and rubble. Stands of emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) are located in various areas throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can absorb and breakdown 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. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat.
Marion Lake can be ecologically classified as a Walleye-Bass-Panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species.
Walleye abundance is at the second highest level recorded for this lake. Walleyes ranged in length from 10.2 to 22.4 inches with an average length and weight of 15.1 inches and 1.3 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.6 inches at four years of age.
Northern Pike abundance has remained stable over the recent series of surveys. Pike ranged in length from 14.6 to 27.6 inches with an average length and weight of 22.0 inches and 2.3 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 23.8 inches at five years of age.
Catch data from recent surveys indicate that an abundant Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 4.9 to 15.4 inches. Bass attain an average length of 13.2 inches at five years of age.
Catch data indicate that Bluegills are very abundant. Twelve percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.1 inches at six years of age.
Anglers can maintain the quality of angling 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 Marion Lake?

Are there any state parks near Marion Lake?