Middle
Otter Tail County, Minnesota — DOW #56025200
Special Regulations for Middle
This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.
- All from 12-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.
- Daily limit five.
Invasive Species Alert
Middle has confirmed populations of:
- zebra mussel
Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.
DNR Fish Surveys
Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Middle. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.
Black Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.3 – 3.2 | 0.86 lb | 1 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard gill nets | 5.7 (normal) | 0.8 – 7.7 | 0.82 lb | 34 |
Brown Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.4 – 2.1 | 0.90 lb | 1 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.83 lb | 1 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.4 – 2.1 | 1.64 lb | 3 |
Green Sunfish
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.3 – 2.3 | 0.13 lb | 1 |
| 2022-06-09 | Special trap nets | 0.2 | — | 0.06 lb | 1 |
Yellow Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard gill nets | 5.7 (normal) | 1.0 – 10.5 | 0.36 lb | 34 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 11.9 (above normal) | 1.3 – 9.8 | 0.34 lb | 107 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 6.0 (normal) | 1.0 – 10.5 | 0.49 lb | 36 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard trap nets | 7.6 (normal) | 1.3 – 9.8 | 0.58 lb | 68 |
Northern Pike
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard gill nets | 6.8 (normal) | 3.5 – 10.5 | 2.46 lb | 41 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 0.6 | — | 1.43 lb | 5 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 2.8 (below normal) | 3.5 – 10.5 | 2.30 lb | 17 |
Largemouth Bass
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard electrofishing | 98.1 | — | 0.99 lb | 66 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard gill nets | 0.7 (normal) | 0.3 – 1.7 | 0.85 lb | 4 |
| 2000-07-31 | Special trap nets | 0.6 | — | 2.65 lb | 37 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 1.9 (above normal) | 0.3 – 1.3 | 0.44 lb | 17 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard trap nets | 0.7 (normal) | 0.3 – 1.3 | 1.21 lb | 6 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard electrofishing | 53.7 | — | 1.17 lb | 35 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 1.2 (normal) | 0.3 – 1.7 | 0.86 lb | 7 |
| 2024-05-17 | Standard electrofishing | 222.9 | — | 1.20 lb | 113 |
| 2018-06-01 | Standard electrofishing | 143.2 | — | 0.80 lb | 130 |
Hybrid Sunfish
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 | — | — | 1 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 5.0 | — | 0.22 lb | 45 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard trap nets | 8.1 | — | 0.41 lb | 73 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 | — | 0.43 lb | 2 |
| 2022-06-09 | Special trap nets | 5.2 | — | 0.36 lb | 26 |
Bluegill
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard gill nets | 8.2 | — | 0.21 lb | 49 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 22.0 (normal) | 6.1 – 46.6 | 0.15 lb | 198 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard trap nets | 38.0 (normal) | 6.1 – 46.6 | 0.22 lb | 342 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 1.7 | — | 0.36 lb | 10 |
| 2022-06-09 | Special trap nets | 29.0 | — | 0.35 lb | 145 |
Pumpkinseed
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Standard gill nets | 0.8 | — | 0.27 lb | 5 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 4.3 (normal) | 2.0 – 8.5 | 0.16 lb | 39 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard trap nets | 2.0 (normal) | 2.0 – 8.5 | 0.40 lb | 18 |
| 2022-06-09 | Special trap nets | 0.6 | — | 0.25 lb | 3 |
Black Crappie
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-07-31 | Special trap nets | 0.8 | — | 0.39 lb | 51 |
| 2000-07-31 | Standard trap nets | 2.6 (normal) | 0.7 – 3.4 | 0.46 lb | 23 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 0.8 (normal) | 0.6 – 3.5 | 0.27 lb | 5 |
| 2008-06-09 | Standard trap nets | 5.2 (above normal) | 0.7 – 3.4 | 0.53 lb | 47 |
Walleye
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-06-09 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 1.3 – 5.0 | 2.82 lb | 2 |
Depth Maps & Lake Info
Map & Directions
Get DirectionsShowing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.
Nearby Bait & Tackle
Ben's Bait Shop
Battle Lake, MN
★ 4.6Carr's Lake Country Super Market
Ottertail, MN
★ 4.4Dunham's Sports
Fergus Falls, MN
★ 4.1Elizabeth General Store
Elizabeth, MN
★ 4.3Flagman Products
Fergus Falls, MN
JK-Outdoors
Fergus Falls, MN
★ 5Lakeland General Store
Pelican Rapids, MN
★ 4.8Lakes Community Coop - Ottertail Oasis
Ottertail, MN
★ 4Nearby Marinas
Resorts & Lodges Near Middle
Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Middle.
Fish Species
Species known to inhabit Middle. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Fishing Guides Near Middle
Other Lakes in Otter Tail County
Plan Your Trip to Middle
- Weather forecast for Middle — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
- GPS: 46.1685°N, 95.7183°W — Get Directions
- View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
- Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us
Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.