Otter Lake
About Otter Lake
Otter Lake is a 642-acre lake near Hutchinson in McLeod County, Minnesota. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 5 feet, and has roughly 14.2 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 11 McLeod County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.4 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 2 fish species here, including walleye and black crappie. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city. Masonic/West River City Park is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around March 25, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Otter Lake
- 642 acres, up to 9 feet deep, near Hutchinson
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the city
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye and black crappie
- Average water clarity around 1.4 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at Masonic/West River City Park
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 642 acres
- Max depth
- 9 ft
- Average depth
- 5 ft
- Shoreline
- 14.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 1.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 642 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Masonic/West River City Park
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 2
- Game fish
- 2
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- March 25
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- March 20, 2012
- Latest
- April 14, 2014
- Most recent
- March 24, 2017
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Masonic/West River City Park is mapped on or near Otter Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Otter Lake
Compare Otter Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Otter Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Otter Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Otter Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Otter Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Stahl's Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Hutchinson141 acres
4.9 miles away
Hook Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Hutchinson330 acres
5.2 miles away
Todd Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Jennie214 acres
6.2 miles away
Bear Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Lamson172 acres
6.3 miles away
Belle Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Hutchinson864 acres
6.6 miles away
Cedar Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Cedar Mills1,860 acres
6.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Otter Lake?
Otter Lake is in McLeod County, Minnesota, near Hutchinson. It covers 642 acres and reaches 9 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Otter Lake?
Otter Lake covers 642 acres with about 14.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 9 feet and its average depth is about 5 feet.
What fish can you catch at Otter Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye and Black Crappie. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Otter Lake?
Yes. Otter Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the city. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Otter Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Otter Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Otter Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Otter Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Otter Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 25, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 20, 2012 and the latest is April 14, 2014.
Can you camp at Otter Lake?
Yes. Masonic/West River City Park is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.