Stuart Lake
Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 7-8 AM and 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stuart Lake, MN
- How big is Stuart Lake?
- How deep is Stuart Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Stuart Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Stuart Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Stuart Lake area?
- Are there bait or tackle shops near Stuart Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Stuart Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Stuart Lake?
- What are the fishing regulations for Stuart Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Stuart Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Stuart Lake?
How big is Stuart Lake?
How deep is Stuart Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Stuart Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Cisco (Tullibee), Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Shorthead Redhorse and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Stuart Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Stuart Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there bait or tackle shops near Stuart Lake?
Are there boat launches on Stuart Lake?
Stuart Lake area businesses:
Are there places to eat and drink near Stuart Lake?
What are the fishing regulations for Stuart Lake?
There are specific fishing regulations Stuart Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?
What aquatic invasive species are found in Stuart Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Stuart Lake was conducted on July 3 and 6, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at fourteen sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used at six stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured eighteen species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner and Pugnose Shiner) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2019 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). 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.
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Stuart Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that is well above the impairment threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Stuart Lake is fully supporting for aquatic life use. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
What is the average air temp for Stuart Lake?
Are there any state parks near Stuart Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Stuart Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.4 mi | 30 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.8 mi | 42 | |
| East Battle Lake | 2.0 mi | 1,978 | 87 ft |
| Ellingson Lake | 2.1 mi | 151 | 19 ft |
| Lake Mason | 2.6 mi | 277 | |
| Siverson Lake | 2.8 mi | 138 | 41 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.0 mi | 27 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.2 mi | 44 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.6 mi | 27 | |
| West Battle Lake | 3.7 mi | 5,615 | 108 ft |
