Paul

Otter Tail County, Minnesota — DOW #56033500

111 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Paul has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

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

346.49

Acres

81 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.20 lb	1
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.22 lb	23
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.24 lb	1
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.05 lb	1
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	—	1
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.06 lb	1
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.08 lb	3
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.20 lb	1
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.17 lb	4

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	59.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.81 lb	358
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.72 lb	34
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	43.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.46 lb	394
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	8.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.50 lb	79
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	40.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.46 lb	366
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	6.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.44 lb	57
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	14.4 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.56 lb	130
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	7.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.46 lb	66
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	42.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.65 lb	256
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	31.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.58 lb	189
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	19.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.45 lb	156

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	5.8 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.37 lb	35
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	1.87 lb	3
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	6.6 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.31 lb	59
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	1.6	—	0.93 lb	14
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	8.7 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.22 lb	78
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	0.91 lb	9
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.72 lb	43
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	0.71 lb	5
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	9.3 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	2.40 lb	56
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.40 lb	32
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	2.9	—	1.27 lb	23

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.25 lb	4
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.17 lb	4
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.24 lb	4
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.47 lb	1
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.22 lb	5
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.10 lb	8

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	7.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.48 lb	45
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.72 lb	6
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	2.1 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.61 lb	19
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.67 lb	2
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	5.2 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.13 lb	47
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.46 lb	3
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	4.9 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.66 lb	44
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.42 lb	1
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	8.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	3.86 lb	50
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	7.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.43 lb	46
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	4.3 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.25 lb	34

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	3.2 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.65 lb	19
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	2.6 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.23 lb	21
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	5.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.78 lb	45
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.39 lb	18
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	2.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.58 lb	25
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.37 lb	11
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	2.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.00 lb	23
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.56 lb	16
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.01 lb	12
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.87 lb	11
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.58 lb	26

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	8.0	—	0.19 lb	48
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	51.1 (above normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.16 lb	409
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	16.1	—	0.30 lb	145
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	9.4 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.17 lb	85
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	19.9	—	0.19 lb	179
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	10.8 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.14 lb	97
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	5.2	—	0.17 lb	47
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	18.3 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.10 lb	165
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	6.3	—	0.30 lb	38
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.08 lb	11
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	23.8 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.17 lb	190

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	6.7	—	0.20 lb	40
1982-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.18 lb	12
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.22 lb	16
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.13 lb	18
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	4.4	—	0.17 lb	40
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.23 lb	11
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.8	—	0.18 lb	34
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.3 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.09 lb	12
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.14 lb	6
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	2.7	—	0.14 lb	16
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	2.4 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.11 lb	19

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	3.20 lb	5
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.46 lb	5
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.89 lb	7
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.15 lb	1
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	3.25 lb	2
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.29 lb	9

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.10 lb	2
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.37 lb	12
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	3.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.38 lb	27
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.51 lb	7
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.51 lb	5
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.34 lb	8
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.2 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.47 lb	20
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.77 lb	7
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.67 lb	3

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	1.40 lb	1
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.93 lb	1
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.00 lb	1
1987-08-17	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	1.86 lb	5

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-23	Standard gill nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.38 lb	12
2008-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	1.07 lb	1
2008-08-18	Standard gill nets	4.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.17 lb	43
2002-08-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.79 lb	1
2002-08-12	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.83 lb	14
2015-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	1.17 lb	4
2015-08-10	Standard gill nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.26 lb	18
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.48 lb	5
1987-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.70 lb	2

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.83 lb	14

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.6	1.78 lb	2

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 Paul

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Paul.

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 Paul. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Brown Bullhead Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Smallmouth Bass Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Paul

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 Paul

Weather forecast for Paul — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.5965°N, 95.6994°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.

Paul

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Yellow Perch

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Rock Bass

Walleye

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

White Sucker

Black Crappie

Black Bullhead

Brown Bullhead

Tullibee (Cisco)

Smallmouth Bass

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 Paul

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Paul

Other Lakes in Otter Tail County

Adley

Alice

Anderson

Anna

Annie Battle

Bass

Plan Your Trip to Paul