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MINNESOTA LAKES

West McDonald Lake

Otter Tail County, Minnesota

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Frequently Asked Questions About West McDonald Lake, MN

How big is West McDonald Lake?
West McDonald Lake is approximately 597 sq acres (2.4 sq km) in size with 5 miles (8.0 km) of shoreline.
How deep is West McDonald Lake?
West McDonald Lake is approximately 62 feet (18.9 m) at its deepest point.
What kind of fish can you catch in West McDonald Lake?
Although thery may be others but anglers can expect to find a variety of fish including Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Carp, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch in West McDonald Lake.

Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Bluntnose Minnow, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Mimic Shiner, Spottail Shiner and White Sucker.

What are the closest cities to West McDonald Lake?
Nearby cities and towns include Dent, MN and Vergas, MN.
Are there places to stay in the West McDonald Lake area?
Are you craving a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Or maybe you're an avid angler in search of the perfect fishing spot? Look no further! West McDonald Lake and its surrounding area offer an abundance of options to suit your needs. If you're in need of accommodation, check out our area map which highlights some of the best places to stay. And if you're looking for even more options, head on over to our Travel section. But why settle for a traditional hotel or resort when you can take your adventure to the next level by renting a RV? The open road awaits you!
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on West McDonald Lake?
We know of 4 public boat launches on West McDonald Lake. Please observe any specific lake regulations posted by the boat launch and please help keep the launch area free of litter.
Are there places to eat and drink near West McDonald Lake?
Yes, you can find numerous options in the area. Click the button below to see what's nearby.
What aquatic invasive species are found in West McDonald Lake?
There are some aquatic invasive species found in West McDonald Lake including zebra mussel.

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 McDonald Lake was conducted on August 28-29, 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 and seining with a 50-foot seine were completed at fourteen sampling stations. Nearshore sampling captured fourteen species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Mimic Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).

The nearshore data will be combined with gill net and trap net data from a survey planned for 2025 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 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 will be considered when the biological health of West McDonald 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 West McDonald Lake?
Looking forward to your next adventure at West McDonald Lake? Don't forget to plan ahead! Weather can be unpredictable, but we've got you covered. On average, air temperatures during this time of year range from a high around 78°F (26°C) to a low around 56°F (13°C). Of course, these are just historical averages, so be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way. For the most up-to-date weather information, be sure to check out our Weather Bar located at the top of this page.
Are there any state parks near West McDonald Lake?
Enjoy more of the outdoors with a visit to an area state park. There are 2 state parks in the vacinity of West McDonald 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 McDonald Lake...
DISTANCE ACRES MAX DEPTH
Hoffman Lake 0.6 mi 157 20 ft
Brown Lake 0.7 mi 84
Big McDonald Lake 1.1 mi 992 46 ft
Archie Lake 1.2 mi 32
McDonald Lake 1.8 mi 561 33 ft
Mud Lake 1.9 mi 114
Walde Lake 2.0 mi 94
Elbow Lake 2.1 mi 96 85 ft
Round Lake 2.1 mi 173 18 ft
Unnamed Lake 2.1 mi 12
DISCLAIMER: Lake-Link Inc assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information for West McDonald Lake. Although we strive to provide the most accurate information as we can the information contained in this page is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.
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