Fishing at Otter Tail Lake
Fishing Information
Fishing Reports
Bait and Tackle
Boating
Real Estate
Fishing in Minnesota
Minnesota Fishing Information
Minnesota Lakes
Minnesota Reports
Minnesota Photos
Minnesota Tournaments
Catch More Fish
How to Videos
How to Articles
Fishing Reports
Fishing Gear
From The Forum
Freshwater Fishing
Boats, Motors, Trailers
Rods, Reels, and Tackle
State Discussion
Latest Otter Tail Lake Report
It was a great fishing opener for the Detroit Lakes area - the weather was ideal and the fish were biting. Walleye were pulled from 22-26 feet of... Continued
- Fishing Details
- Fishing Reports
- Catch Photos
- Solar Lunar Charts
- Local Businesses
Otter Tail Lake is a Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
Do you have a question about Otter Tail Lake, ask it here.
Located in the heart of Otter Tail County is Otter Tail Lake, the largest lake in the county at 13,728 surface acres. Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream and Deer, East Lost, and West Lost lakes are located downstream. Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River along the north shoreline and the Dead River along the northwest shoreline. The Otter Tail River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Otter Tail Lake has a maximum depth of 120 feet; however, 57% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The majority of the lake is surrounded by residential and commercial development. Public water accesses are located on the north, northeast, and southwest shorelines. The shoreline substrates of Otter Tail Lake consist primarily of sand interspersed with gravel. The lake contains large, shallow flats along most of its perimeter before the first break into deeper water. Areas of submersed aquatic vegetation are present in the lake. A few remnant stands of hardstem bulrush remain and are primarily adjacent to the undeveloped parcels. These areas are important components to the lake. They provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat during all stages of life and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Bulrush beds are natural shoreline stabilizers, reducing erosion caused from wave action and they can even absorb pollutants from the water. Because of their ecological value, bulrush may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Otter Tail Lake is known primarily as a walleye lake and is one of the few lakes in the area that supports a yellow perch fishery. A 1994-1995 summer/winter creel survey noted that 82% of summer anglers and 60% of ice anglers were targeting walleye. Winter anglers sought yellow perch more than summer anglers.
Northern pike spawning habitat is limited in Otter Tail Lake, thus northern pike are stocked occasionally to maintain this population at management goals. Data from fish assessments over the past 20 years shows that walleye and yellow perch are consistently abundant in Otter Tail Lake. Panfish and bass species, although present, are not abundant.
Minnesota - Otter Tail Lake Fishing Report
It was a great fishing opener for the Detroit Lakes area - the weather was ideal and the fish were biting. Walleye were pulled from 22-26 feet of wate... Continued
Solar Lunar Best Fishing Times - Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota
Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota - Solar Lunar Chart - May 25, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:39 Transit 12:19 Set 20:01 | Fish Major Periods 15:41 - 18:11 3:30 - 6:00 | Activity Minor Periods 0:00 - 0:00 8:14 - 9:44 | Day Rating |
Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota - Solar Lunar Chart - May 26, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:38 Transit 12:19 Set 20:02 | Fish Major Periods 16:30 - 19:00 3:18 - 5:48 | Activity Minor Periods 0:00 - 0:00 9:19 - 10:49 | Day Rating |
Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota - Solar Lunar Chart - May 27, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:37 Transit 12:19 Set 20:04 | Fish Major Periods 17:16 - 19:46 4:06 - 6:36 | Activity Minor Periods 0:00 - 0:00 10:26 - 11:56 | Day Rating |
Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota - Solar Lunar Chart - May 28, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | First Quarter at 14:20 | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:36 Transit 12:20 Set 20:05 | Fish Major Periods 18:04 - 20:34 4:53 - 7:23 | Activity Minor Periods 0:00 - 0:00 11:35 - 13:05 | Day Rating |
Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota - Solar Lunar Chart - May 29, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:36 Transit 12:20 Set 20:05 | Fish Major Periods 18:52 - 21:22 5:41 - 8:11 | Activity Minor Periods 0:22 - 1:52 12:46 - 14:16 | Day Rating |
Businesses Located Near Otter Tail Lake
Bait and Tackle
- Main Street Gas & Goods
- 101 W Main St
- Dalton, Minnesota
- (218) 589-8919
- Underwood Quik Stop
- 29346 Mn-210
- Underwood, Minnesota
- (218) 826-6311
Boating
- Shore Master Incorporated
- 1025 International Dr
- Fergus Falls, Minnesota
- (218) 739-4641
- Boatcovers.com
- 1605 N 1st Ave
- Fergus Falls, Minnesota
- (218) 998-3045
- U Motors
- 421 W Fir Ave
- Fergus Falls, Minnesota
- (218) 736-7569
Real Estate
- Gunderson Real Estate
- 714 Lake Ave, #101
- Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
- (218) 847-1028
- Area Lakes Real Estate Limited
- 28059 Cr-145
- Battle Lake, Minnesota
- (218) 495-3773
- Sprangler, Ron - Spangler Real Estate Partners
- 122 Lake Ave S
- Battle Lake, Minnesota
- (218) 862-7653





































