Minnesota Fishing Guide

West Lost

Otter Tail County, Minnesota — DOW #56048100

139 Surveys

Special Regulations for West Lost

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

Invasive Species Alert

West Lost has confirmed populations of:

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

794.65
Acres
16 ft
Max Depth
0
8
Fish Species
8
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 3.5 (normal) 1.1 – 17.4 1.14 lb 14
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 7.3 (normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.89 lb 29
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.5 — 0.85 lb 3
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.86 lb 1
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.54 lb 11
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.80 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 29.0 (normal) 1.9 – 57.5 1.04 lb 58

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 2.8 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.20 lb 11
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 31.0 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.24 lb 124
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 6.5 — 0.17 lb 39
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 1.4 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.10 lb 15
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 6.9 (below normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.10 lb 83
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.28 lb 4
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 8.0 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.10 lb 16
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 58.2 — — 349
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 0.5 — — 3
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 30.3 — — 39

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 11.0 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.94 lb 44
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 1.11 lb 9
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 2.8 — 0.66 lb 17
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 7.5 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.75 lb 90
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 6.6 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.85 lb 73
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.68 lb 10
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 14.0 (above normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.67 lb 28

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.81 lb 20
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 0.20 lb 2
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 5.5 — 1.64 lb 33
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 5.3 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.21 lb 64
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 1.18 lb 4
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 4.0 (below normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.29 lb 8
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 1.30 lb 1
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 5
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 1.6 — — 2

Common Carp

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 16.50 lb 1
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.4 12.50 lb 1
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 11.17 lb 4
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.40 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 2.5 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.4 6.64 lb 5

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 5.8 2.55 lb 1
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.8 — 2.43 lb 5
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 1.5 – 5.8 2.36 lb 32
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 2.46 lb 3
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 8.0 (above normal) 1.5 – 5.8 1.02 lb 16
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 0.8 0.75 lb 2

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.25 lb 2
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 4.5 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.42 lb 18
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 2.7 — 0.39 lb 16
2015-06-29 Special trap nets 30.3 — 0.24 lb 242
2021-05-20 Special trap nets 43.6 — 0.21 lb 349
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 5.6 — 0.23 lb 67
2005-08-29 Special trap nets 74.9 — 0.08 lb 1124
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 32.5 (above normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.13 lb 358
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 2.0 — 0.17 lb 4
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 16.5 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.35 lb 33
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 11.6 — — 15
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 10.8 — — 65
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 3.7 — — 22

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 4.8 (normal) 1.0 – 5.5 2.41 lb 19
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.5 2.40 lb 1
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 6.2 — 2.03 lb 37
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 3.1 (normal) 1.0 – 5.5 2.30 lb 37
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 1.5 2.42 lb 9
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 10.0 (above normal) 1.0 – 5.5 1.88 lb 20
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.4 – 1.5 2.77 lb 3

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 9.5 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.18 lb 38
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.70 lb 5
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.26 lb 12
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.41 lb 3
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.25 lb 2
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.40 lb 1
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 14.0 — — 18
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 19.8 — — 119
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 2.2 — — 13

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard gill nets 7.0 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.20 lb 28
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.5 — 1.07 lb 3
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 0.83 lb 3
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.02 lb 27
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.00 lb 1

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 1.10 lb 1
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.7 — 1.57 lb 4
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 1.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.30 lb 23
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.52 lb 9
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.10 lb 2
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 60.0 — — 360
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 8.2 — — 49
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 26.4 — — 34

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.28 lb 6
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 3.0 — 0.27 lb 18
2015-06-29 Special trap nets 11.4 — 0.22 lb 91
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 1.5 — 0.11 lb 18
2005-08-29 Special trap nets 8.1 — 0.13 lb 121
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.14 lb 9
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 6.0 — 0.24 lb 12
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 12.0 (above normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.22 lb 24
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 8.5 — — 11
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 1.7 — — 10
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1982-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.70 lb 1
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 1.0 — 4.29 lb 6
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 1.6 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.5 3.51 lb 19
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.86 lb 11
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 1.5 3.80 lb 2
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.83 lb 3
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 3.1 — — 4

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.8 — 0.53 lb 5
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.64 lb 1
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.05 lb 1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.2 — 0.58 lb 1
2015-06-29 Special trap nets 5.4 — 0.44 lb 43
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.30 lb 3
2005-08-29 Special trap nets 3.5 — 0.36 lb 52
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 1.2 — 0.36 lb 13
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.70 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 0.60 lb 1

Shorthead Redhorse

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.5 — 1.77 lb 3
2005-08-29 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.1 2.87 lb 3
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 3.1 2.40 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 5.50 lb 3

LKS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2015-06-29 Special gill nets 0.3 — 1.93 lb 2

GRR

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2005-08-29 Standard trap nets 0.6 — 6.56 lb 6

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2005-08-29 Special trap nets 0.1 — 0.02 lb 1
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 2.3 — — 3
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — 3

BST

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 1.2 — 7

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 0.8 — 5
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 0.8 — 1
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 15.7 — 94

BKF

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — 2

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 4.2 — 25

CNM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 3.9 — 5

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 1.6 — 2
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 Backpack electrofishing 0.8 — 1
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 5.0 — 30

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-07-13 50-ft beach seine 2.2 — 13

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 West Lost

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near West Lost.

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 West Lost. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Green SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near West Lost

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 West Lost

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