West Leaf Lake
Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on West Leaf Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About West Leaf Lake, MN
- How big is West Leaf Lake?
- How deep is West Leaf Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in West Leaf Lake?
- What are the closest cities to West Leaf Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the West Leaf Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on West Leaf Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near West Leaf Lake?
- What is the average air temp for West Leaf Lake?
- Are there any state parks near West Leaf Lake?
How big is West Leaf Lake?
How deep is West Leaf Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in West Leaf Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Cisco (Tullibee), Common Shiner, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to West Leaf Lake?
Are there places to stay in the West Leaf Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on West Leaf Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near West Leaf Lake?
Explore the West Leaf Lake area in a RV
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What aquatic invasive species are found in West Leaf 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 West Leaf Lake was conducted on July 25, 2022 by Fergus Falls Area Fisheries 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 all fourteen sampling stations, but two stations were moved a short distance due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at seven stations, and soft sediments and abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass) and two species 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 July 2022 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., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow 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.
Results from this survey indicates West Leaf Lake is in good health as indicated by a high FIBI score, well 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 Leaf River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
What is the average air temp for West Leaf Lake?
Are there any state parks near West Leaf 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 West Leaf Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Grass Lake | 1.4 mi | 82 | |
| Portage Lake (main bay) | 1.9 mi | 269 | 49 ft |
| Middle Leaf Lake | 2.0 mi | 404 | 43 ft |
| Long Lake | 2.7 mi | 99 | 56 ft |
| Donalds Lake | 3.0 mi | 166 | 43 ft |
| Gourd Lake | 3.3 mi | 966 | |
| East Leaf Lake | 3.4 mi | 423 | 47 ft |
| Buchanan Lake | 4.1 mi | 964 | 42 ft |
| Pelican Bay Lake | 4.3 mi | 42 | |
| Pickerel Lake | 4.4 mi | 71 | 73 ft |
