Minnesota Fishing Guide

Otter Tail

Otter Tail County, Minnesota — DOW #56024200

136 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Otter Tail has confirmed populations of:

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

14,078.61
Acres
120 ft
Max Depth
0
17
Fish Species
8
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.25 lb 1
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 7.4 (normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.52 lb 148
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 2.8 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.66 lb 55
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 4.0 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.58 lb 80
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 1.7 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.58 lb 34
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 3.0 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.49 lb 59
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 5.8 (normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.37 lb 116
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 2.7 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.50 lb 54
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 4.5 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.40 lb 90
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 2.5 (below normal) 4.9 – 17.6 0.34 lb 49

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.09 lb 4
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.25 lb 9
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 2.2 (above normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.45 lb 44
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.40 lb 3
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.46 lb 6
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.09 lb 8
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.25 lb 7
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.49 lb 4
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.20 lb 5
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.6 1.67 lb 4

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 5.1 (above normal) 0.9 – 4.3 1.91 lb 82
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 1.6 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 2.66 lb 31
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 4.1 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 4.02 lb 82
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 3.25 lb 24
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 3.1 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 2.88 lb 63
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 2.9 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 2.46 lb 58
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 4.2 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 4.01 lb 84
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 3.22 lb 80
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 2.38 lb 40
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.9 – 4.3 3.52 lb 40

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.0 – 4.7 0.69 lb 4
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 4.7 2.03 lb 1
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.0 – 4.7 1.22 lb 5
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 0.0 – 4.7 1.13 lb 27
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.0 – 4.7 0.78 lb 9
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 4.7 0.60 lb 3
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.0 – 4.7 0.57 lb 15

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 3.8 (above normal) 0.8 – 2.4 2.30 lb 60
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.8 – 2.4 2.12 lb 41
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 3.1 (above normal) 0.8 – 2.4 2.34 lb 63
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 1.9 (normal) 0.8 – 2.4 2.37 lb 38
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.8 – 2.4 2.56 lb 61
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 0.8 – 2.4 1.79 lb 35
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 6.0 (above normal) 0.8 – 2.4 1.64 lb 120
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 0.8 – 2.4 2.29 lb 44
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 1.9 (normal) 0.8 – 2.4 1.74 lb 37
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.8 – 2.4 1.59 lb 60

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 13.3 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.81 lb 213
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 10.3 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.86 lb 205
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 11.6 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.84 lb 231
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 10.4 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.75 lb 208
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 14.4 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.94 lb 289
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 10.9 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.85 lb 219
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 12.9 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.88 lb 259
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 17.6 (above normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.88 lb 352
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 10.9 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 0.94 lb 218
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 10.1 (normal) 3.3 – 14.8 1.42 lb 201

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.40 lb 1
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.27 lb 5
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.08 lb 6
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.20 lb 5
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.30 lb 1
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.20 lb 4
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.18 lb 6
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.10 lb 1
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.04 lb 1

Shorthead Redhorse

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 3.07 lb 13
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.05 lb 3
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.54 lb 6
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.67 lb 3
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.9 (above normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.13 lb 19
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.37 lb 6
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.54 lb 11
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.51 lb 15
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 0.55 lb 4
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.1 – 0.9 2.71 lb 9

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.83 lb 10
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 1.4 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.90 lb 28
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 2.4 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.48 lb 48
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.19 lb 20
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 1.8 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.20 lb 35
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.11 lb 7
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.11 lb 4
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.27 lb 5
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.10 lb 11
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 1.26 lb 9

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 69.3 (above normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.18 lb 1109
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 54.0 (normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.19 lb 1080
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 38.5 (normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.16 lb 769
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 103.5 (above normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.19 lb 2070
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 66.5 (above normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.13 lb 1331
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 81.2 (above normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.14 lb 1623
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 48.1 (normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.11 lb 963
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 33.4 (normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.11 lb 668
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 52.9 (normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.17 lb 1057
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 17.4 (normal) 9.9 – 57.1 0.12 lb 349

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1979-07-16 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.61 lb 16
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 1.1 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.50 lb 22
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 5.5 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.61 lb 109
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.53 lb 26
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 1.6 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.61 lb 31
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 3.6 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.37 lb 72
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 2.0 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.60 lb 40
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.46 lb 25
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.15 lb 17
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 2.8 (above normal) 0.1 – 1.1 0.57 lb 56

Burbot

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.2 0.60 lb 1
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.2 1.60 lb 1
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.2 1.50 lb 1
1983-09-20 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.2 0.10 lb 1

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-09-08 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.09 lb 1
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.10 lb 1
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.61 lb 3
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.39 lb 3
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.44 lb 7

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.14 lb 7
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.51 lb 1
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.74 lb 1
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.07 lb 2
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.25 lb 1

LKS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 1.4 — 1.80 lb 29
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 3.38 lb 10
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 1.6 — 6.47 lb 32
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 1.1 — 5.75 lb 22
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 5.11 lb 7

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-09-04 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.1 1.63 lb 1
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.1 1.48 lb 1
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.3 (above normal) 0.0 – 0.1 1.02 lb 6
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.1 0.06 lb 2

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1989-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.10 lb 1
1984-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.30 lb 1
2018-08-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.45 lb 1

Smallmouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.2 2.92 lb 1
2015-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 0.2 2.30 lb 2
2021-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.0 – 0.2 0.87 lb 15

Common Carp

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2004-09-07 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.0 – 2.3 4.91 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

Ben's Bait Shop

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 864-5596

★ 4.6

Carr's Lake Country Super Market

Ottertail, MN

(218) 367-2550

★ 4.4

Dunham's Sports

Fergus Falls, MN

(218) 739-5708

★ 4.1

Elizabeth General Store

Elizabeth, MN

(218) 739-2132

★ 4.3

Flagman Products

Fergus Falls, MN

(218) 671-2640

JK-Outdoors

Fergus Falls, MN

(218) 739-5299

★ 5

Lakeland General Store

Pelican Rapids, MN

(218) 863-5703

★ 4.8

Lakes Community Coop - Ottertail Oasis

Ottertail, MN

(218) 367-3626

★ 4

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 Otter Tail

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Otter Tail.

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 Otter Tail. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBrown BullheadHybrid SunfishLake SturgeonLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassShorthead RedhorseSmallmouth BassTullibee (Cisco)WalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Otter Tail

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

Adley

240.56 acres

Alice

46.96 acres

Anderson

88.82 acres

Anna

598.19 acres

Annie Battle

354.4 acres

Bass

33.86 acres

Plan Your Trip to Otter Tail

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.