Lake Ethel
Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 4-6 PM. SEE MORE
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Lake Ethel.Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Ethel, MN
- 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 places to stay in the Lake Ethel area?
- Are there boat launches on Lake Ethel?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Ethel?
- What is the average air temp for Lake Ethel?
- Are there any state parks near Lake Ethel?
How big is Lake Ethel?
How deep is Lake Ethel?
What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Ethel?
Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Common Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Sand Shiner and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Lake Ethel?
Are there places to stay in the Lake Ethel area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Lake Ethel?
Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Ethel?
Explore the Lake Ethel area in a RV
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History & Status of the Fishery
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ethel Lake was conducted beginning on June 28, 2017 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Mimic Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2014 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Data from this survey indicates Ethel Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Otter Tail River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
What is the average air temp for Lake Ethel?
Are there any state parks near Lake Ethel?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Lake Ethel...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Hanson Lake | 1.0 mi | 46 | 65 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.4 mi | 30 | |
| Lake Emma | 1.6 mi | 235 | |
| Sherman Lake | 1.7 mi | 22 | |
| Lake Blanche | 1.8 mi | 1,296 | 64 ft |
| Round Lake | 2.0 mi | 40 | |
| Tamarack Lake | 2.1 mi | 1,228 | |
| Beauty Shore Lake | 2.5 mi | 178 | |
| Annie Battle Lake | 2.7 mi | 354 | 51 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.7 mi | 17 |
