Otter Tail Lake

How big is Otter Tail Lake?

How deep is Otter Tail Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Otter Tail Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Otter Tail Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Otter Tail Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Otter Tail Lake East

Otter Tail Lake West

Are there boat launches on Otter Tail Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Otter Tail Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Otter Tail Lake?

Located in the heart of Otter Tail County is Otter Tail Lake, the largest lake in the county at 13,728 surface acres. Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream and Deer, East Lost, and West Lost lakes are located downstream. Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River along the north shoreline and the Dead River along the northwest shoreline. The Otter Tail River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Otter Tail Lake has a maximum depth of 120 feet; however, 57% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The majority of the lake is surrounded by residential and commercial development. Public water accesses are located on the north, northeast, and southwest shorelines. The shoreline substrates of Otter Tail Lake consist primarily of sand interspersed with gravel. The lake contains large, shallow flats along most of its perimeter before the first break into deeper water. Areas of submersed aquatic vegetation are present in the lake. A few remnant stands of hardstem bulrush remain and are primarily adjacent to the undeveloped parcels. These areas are important components to the lake. They provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat during all stages of life and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Bulrush beds are natural shoreline stabilizers, reducing erosion caused from wave action and they can even absorb pollutants from the water. Because of their ecological value, bulrush may not be removed without a DNR permit. Otter Tail is a very popular lake for both open water and winter angling. It is known primarily as a walleye lake and is one of the few lakes in the area that supports a yellow perch fishery. A 1994-1995 summer/winter creel survey noted that 82% of summer anglers and 60% of ice anglers were targeting walleye. Winter anglers sought yellow perch more than summer anglers. Summer/winter creel surveys are scheduled for 2006 and 2007 on Otter Tail Lake to get updated information on angler catch rates. Yellow perch are very abundant and exhibit a good size structure. Twenty-one percent of the perch were at least eight inches in length. Northern pike angling is becoming more popular on Otter Tail Lake. Abundance tends to be low; however; the average size is excellent with a good chance of catching one over 30.0 inches in length. An experimental 30-inch minimum length limit for northern pike began on Otter Tail Lake in May, 2003. All pike less than 30.0 inches must be immediately returned to the water. Northern pike spawning habitat is limited in Otter Tail Lake, thus northern pike are stocked occasionally to maintain this population at management goals. Data from fish assessments over the past 20 years shows that walleye and yellow perch are consistently abundant in Otter Tail Lake. Panfish and bass species, although present, are not abundant. Sturgeon, once native to the Otter Tail River system, were stocked in 2001 and 2004. The first sturgeon were sampled from Otter Tail Lake during the 2004 survey and ranged from 24 to 30 inches in length. Approximately 5,000 to 10,000 fingerling lake sturgeon will be stocked annually from 2005 to 2008. The goal is to establish a self-sustaining population. Otter Tail Lake is stocked annually with walleye fry because of walleye egg-take sites operated by the DNR on the Dead and Otter Tail Rivers. Each spring, walleye migrate from Otter Tail Lake up the Otter Tail and Dead Rivers. Walleye are trapped and their eggs stripped for hatching in the State Fish Hatchery. When the eggs hatch, at least 10% of the fry are returned to Otter Tail Lake. Although annual walleye stocking occurs, the excellent walleye population in Otter Tail Lake is maintained by natural reproduction. Data from a 1983 study showed that only 10% of the adult walleye population in Otter Tail Lake makes these river spawning migrations, the remaining 90% spawn in the lake. Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in Otter Tail Lake 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 eating. Releasing medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and should provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

What is the average air temp for Otter Tail Lake?

Are there any state parks near Otter Tail Lake?