Otter

Stearns County, Minnesota — DOW #73001500

80 Surveys

Special Regulations for Otter

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

Daily limit five. (Including connected Clearwater, Grass, Augusta, Otter, and Caroline lakes)
Daily limit ten. (Including connected Clearwater, Grass, Augusta, Otter, and Caroline lakes)

Invasive Species Alert

Otter has confirmed populations of:

Eurasian watermilfoil
zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

91.75

Acres

51 ft

Max Depth

24.1 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.67 lb	3
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	2.00 lb	1
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.66 lb	2

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.11 lb	4
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.09 lb	1
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.07 lb	3

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.30 lb	1
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.29 lb	1
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.00 lb	2

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	16.0 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.17 lb	32
2011-08-15	Survey seining	1.3	—	—	4
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	5.7	—	0.17 lb	34
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	36.4 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.17 lb	255
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	5.0	—	0.14 lb	10
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	18.7 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.14 lb	56
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.3	—	0.11 lb	14
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	9.8 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.07 lb	88

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.05 lb	1
2011-08-15	Standard electrofishing	37.8	—	1.75 lb	37
2011-08-15	Survey seining	2.0	—	—	6
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.35 lb	2
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.16 lb	4
2001-08-13	Standard electrofishing	21.8	—	1.05 lb	26
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	3.75 lb	1
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.90 lb	1

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	3.0 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.60 lb	6

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.20 lb	2
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.27 lb	3
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	4.4 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.38 lb	31
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.50 lb	1
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	9.7 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.21 lb	29
2001-08-13	Standard electrofishing	13.4	—	0.41 lb	16
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.59 lb	11
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.46 lb	12

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	0.80 lb	1
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	6.8 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.09 lb	41
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	2.04 lb	7
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.65 lb	2
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	12.0 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	3.38 lb	72
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.69 lb	3
2001-08-13	Standard electrofishing	5.0	—	1.18 lb	6

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.30 lb	2
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.17 lb	3

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.4	3.35 lb	2
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.16 lb	2
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.25 lb	2
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.4	1.00 lb	1
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.09 lb	9

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.16 lb	8
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.25 lb	2
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	6.0 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.15 lb	42
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.7 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.12 lb	5
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.12 lb	4

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	1.0 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.6	15.35 lb	2
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.6	14.99 lb	1

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1972-09-07	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.76 lb	5
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	2.8 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.60 lb	17
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.80 lb	21
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.43 lb	7
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	10.0 (above normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.52 lb	30
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.64 lb	26
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.68 lb	9

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-08-15	Survey seining	0.3	—	1

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.63 lb	1
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.50 lb	1
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.10 lb	1
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.26 lb	2
2001-08-13	Standard electrofishing	0.8	—	1.15 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-08-15	Standard gill nets	2.2 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.34 lb	13
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.86 lb	3
1985-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	—	1
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	0.20 lb	1
2001-08-13	Standard electrofishing	7.5	—	2.09 lb	9
2001-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.2 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	4.59 lb	19

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-08-15	Standard trap nets	2.1	—	0.30 lb	15
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.7	—	0.22 lb	5
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	0.11 lb	7

Brook Trout

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-08-15	Survey seining	886.0	—	2658

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1985-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.10 lb	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 0.5	0.02 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

BK's Dock's

Cold Spring, MN

(612) 597-3914

★ 5

Butler Park

St Cloud, MN

★ 4.2

Channel Marine & Sports Inc

Richmond, MN

(320) 597-5975

★ 4.3

Lake George Boat House

St Cloud, MN

(320) 257-5959

★ 5

Marina E. Bahmer, CNS

St Cloud, MN

(320) 252-5010

Miller Marine

St Cloud, MN

(320) 434-8389

★ 4.7

Resorts & Lodges Near Otter

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Otter.

Loch Nest Resort

Fishing Resort Kimball

320-271-6880

Maple Hill Resort

Fishing Resort South Haven

(612) 590-3630

Ruegemer's Island View Resort, Inc.

Fishing Resort Richmond

(320) 597-2000

Aunt Kay's Cabin

Fishing Resort Richmond

(320) 266-2802

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Common Carp Green Sunfish Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead

Fishing Guides Near Otter

Central MN Fishing Adventures

Fishing Guide

(320) 266-8238

J Rev Outdoors LLC

Fishing Guide

(320) 761-0685

predator guide service

Fishing Guide

(320) 253-7535

Slab Seeker Fishing Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(320) 428-5174

Other Lakes in Stearns County

Plan Your Trip to Otter

Weather forecast for Otter — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 45.3239°N, 94.1578°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.

Otter

Special Regulations for Otter

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Tullibee (Cisco)

Green Sunfish

Bowfin

Bluegill

Largemouth Bass

Brown Bullhead

Black Crappie

Northern Pike

Black Bullhead

White Sucker

Pumpkinseed

Common Carp

Yellow Bullhead

BKF

Rock Bass

Walleye

Hybrid Sunfish

Brook Trout

Yellow Perch

Golden Shiner

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Fletcher's Bait Shop

Sierra

Albion Acres Bait

All Seasons Sports

Captain Jack Lures

Cedar Mills Outfitters

Cenex

Clear Waters Outfitting Company

Nearby Marinas

BK's Dock's

Butler Park

Channel Marine & Sports Inc

Lake George Boat House

Marina E. Bahmer, CNS

Miller Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near Otter

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Otter

Other Lakes in Stearns County

Achman

Beaver

Becker

Big Fish

Big Spunk

Big

Plan Your Trip to Otter