---
type: lake
name: "Otter Lake"
county: "McLeod"
nearest_town: "Hutchinson"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 642
max_depth_ft: 9
latitude: 44.88725
longitude: -94.39595
lake_score: 41
dnr_lake_id: "43008500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/otter-lake
---

# Otter Lake

Lake in McLeod County, Minnesota, near Hutchinson

- **Surface Area**: 642 acres
- **Max Depth**: 9 ft
- **Average Depth**: 5 ft
- **Shoreline**: 14.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 1.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 41/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 2
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Masonic/West River City Park

## Fish Species

Walleye, Black Crappie

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 25
- **Years of record**: 5
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-20
- **Latest**: 2014-04-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Stahl's Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/stahl-s-lake) - 4.9 miles, 141 acres
- [Hook Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/hook-lake) - 5.2 miles, 330 acres
- [Todd Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/todd-lake) - 6.2 miles, 214 acres
- [Bear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/bear-lake) - 6.3 miles, 172 acres
- [Belle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/belle-lake) - 6.6 miles, 864 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/cedar-lake) - 6.8 miles, 1,860 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.88725,-94.39595)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=43008500)
- [All lakes in McLeod County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/otter-lake)*