Murphy

Otter Tail County, Minnesota — DOW #56022900

91 Surveys

316.86

Acres

30 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Murphy. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	4.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.49 lb	21
1989-08-01	Standard gill nets	31.5 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.57 lb	63
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	10.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.31 lb	90
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	11.2 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.28 lb	101
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.9 (normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.42 lb	15
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	16.3 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.21 lb	147
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	6.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.45 lb	27
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	39.0 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.48 lb	117

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.25 lb	2
1989-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.30 lb	1
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.30 lb	10
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.41 lb	5
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.09 lb	2
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.16 lb	12
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	16.7 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.13 lb	50

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.40 lb	1
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	7.6 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.60 lb	38
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.68 lb	8
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	4.1 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.62 lb	37
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	19.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.67 lb	177
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.64 lb	29
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	14.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.83 lb	43
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	6.0 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.63 lb	24

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.76 lb	7
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.85 lb	2
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.43 lb	34
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	2.6	—	1.12 lb	23
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	15.3 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.90 lb	138
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	2.5	—	1.57 lb	20
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	8.0 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.32 lb	24
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	2.0	—	1.26 lb	8

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	2.6	—	0.23 lb	13
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.27 lb	2
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	3.0	—	0.42 lb	12

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard gill nets	3.5	—	0.31 lb	7
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	34.2 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.28 lb	171
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.33 lb	2
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	20.6 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.15 lb	185
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	17.0	—	0.16 lb	153
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	25.9 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.12 lb	207
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	1.7	—	0.26 lb	5
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	19.0 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.22 lb	76

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard gill nets	6.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.8	2.05 lb	13
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.82 lb	18
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.73 lb	18
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.13 lb	3

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.20 lb	1
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.04 lb	17
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	3.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.4	2.89 lb	35
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.14 lb	18
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.4	1.93 lb	11
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.80 lb	2
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.4	2.83 lb	4

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	3.40 lb	1
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.25 lb	13
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	5.55 lb	3
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.01 lb	6
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	4.78 lb	4
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.48 lb	6
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.00 lb	1

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.07 lb	4
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.21 lb	4
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.74 lb	2
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.03 lb	1
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.90 lb	1
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.50 lb	1

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	1.8 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.21 lb	9
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.28 lb	2
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	7.2 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.21 lb	65
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.07 lb	3
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.9 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.11 lb	15
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.20 lb	3
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	7.8 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.26 lb	31

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	6.03 lb	4
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	5.51 lb	2
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.52 lb	12
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	5.51 lb	2
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.6 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.36 lb	13
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	2.20 lb	1
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	2.5 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.44 lb	10

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-01	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.41 lb	10
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.17 lb	2
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.87 lb	2
2007-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.09 lb	2
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.32 lb	1
1983-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.20 lb	2
1983-08-01	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.59 lb	9

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	26.8 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.28 lb	241
2001-07-30	Standard gill nets	2.2 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.33 lb	20

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.6	6.19 lb	7
2007-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.6 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.6	4.38 lb	5

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

265th St. RV & Boat Storage

Henning, MN

(218) 210-8874

★ 4.8

Advanced Docks & Lifts

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 495-2811

★ 4.3

Aqua Marine & Storage

Dent, MN

(218) 457-2325

★ 4.9

Ark & Spark

Underwood, MN

(218) 864-5969

★ 4.6

Battle Lake Boat Works

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 864-5567

★ 3.8

Delagoon Park

Fergus Falls, MN

★ 4.4

Resorts & Lodges Near Murphy

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Murphy.

Legacy Lakeside Resort & Event Center

Fishing Resort Clitherall

(218) 321-3150

MN Tru North

Fishing Resort Perham

(218) 346-5253

Paul Lake Resort

Fishing Resort Perham

(218) 234-9001

Shoreside at Rush

Fishing Resort Ottertail

(218) 234-2319

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Murphy. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Common Carp Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Murphy

Gene's Sport Shop

Fishing Guide

(218) 346-3355

Lock Jaw Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 640-0158

Minnesota Experience

Fishing Guide

(218) 770-8032

North Country Bowfishing

Fishing Guide

Pit Properties LLC

Fishing Guide

(218) 205-5358

RED HOOKS FISHING ADVENTURES

Red Hooks Fishing Adventures

Fishing Guide

(218) 370-9006

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Otter Tail County

Plan Your Trip to Murphy

Weather forecast for Murphy — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.7116°N, 95.6569°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.

Murphy

DNR Fish Surveys

Black Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Hybrid Sunfish

Bluegill

Tullibee (Cisco)

White Sucker

Walleye

Largemouth Bass

Pumpkinseed

Bowfin

Black Crappie

Brown Bullhead

Common Carp

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Ben's Bait Shop

Carr's Lake Country Super Market

Dunham's Sports

Elizabeth General Store

Flagman Products

JK-Outdoors

Lakeland General Store

Lakes Community Coop - Ottertail Oasis

Nearby Marinas

265th St. RV & Boat Storage

Advanced Docks & Lifts

Aqua Marine & Storage

Ark & Spark

Battle Lake Boat Works

Delagoon Park

Resorts & Lodges Near Murphy

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Murphy

Other Lakes in Otter Tail County

Adley

Alice

Anderson

Anna

Annie Battle

Bass

Plan Your Trip to Murphy