---
type: lake
name: "Buchanan Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Ottertail"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 964
max_depth_ft: 42
latitude: 46.44935
longitude: -95.55612
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "56020900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/buchanan-lake
---

# Buchanan Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Ottertail

- **Surface Area**: 964 acres
- **Max Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Buchanan Lake is a 964-acre lake near Ottertail in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.5 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2014.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 8
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2014
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Donalds Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/donalds-lake) - 2.1 miles, 166 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/portage-lake) - 2.5 miles, 269 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/round-lake) - 3 miles, 273 acres
- [Rush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/rush-lake) - 3.1 miles, 5,276 acres
- [Head Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/head-lake) - 3.6 miles, 400 acres
- [West Leaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-leaf-lake) - 4.1 miles, 700 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.44935,-95.55612)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56020900)
- [All lakes in Otter Tail County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county)

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