Middle Leaf Lake

How big is Middle Leaf Lake?

How deep is Middle Leaf Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Middle Leaf Lake?

What are the closest cities to Middle Leaf Lake?

Are there boat launches on Middle Leaf Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Middle Leaf Lake?

Middle Leaf Lake is a 398-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in eastern Otter Tail County approximately five miles north of Henning, MN. Middle Leaf Lake is connected to East and West Leaf Lakes via unnavigable culverts. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Middle Leaf Lake has a maximum depth of 43 feet; however, 45% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2010 survey was 8.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 7.3 to 10.6 feet.
Development on Middle Leaf Lake is primarily located along the north shoreline. The 1994 lake resurvey report referenced 52 homes/cabins along the shoreline. One resort is located on the northwest shoreline. A state owned concrete public access is also located on the northwest shoreline. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand and silt. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and cattails) is prevalent along the entire shoreline of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail 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. 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.
Middle Leaf 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 game-fish species in the fish community. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available.
An abundant northern pike population exists. Age data indicate that northern pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern pike size structure has historically remained poor. In this assessment, only 4% of the pike were 24.0 inches or greater in length. Northern pike growth is slow with an average length of 20.1 inches at four years of age. Slow growth may be attributed to the low abundance of yellow perch, a preferred forage of northern pike.
Test-net catch data indicate that largemouth bass are abundant. Age data indicate that largemouth bass reproduction is also consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 8.0 to 15.3 inches with an average length and weight of 13.0 inches and 1.3 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 12.2 inches at four years of age.
Bluegill abundance has historically remained very stable. Age data indicate that bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Bluegill size structure has historically been poor. Only 7% of the bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.1 inches at eight years of age.
Anglers can maintain or improve 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 Middle Leaf Lake?

Are there any state parks near Middle Leaf Lake?