Crane Lake
About Crane Lake
Crane Lake is a 350-acre lake near Clitherall in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 43 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in.
Plan Your Visit to Crane Lake
- 350 acres, up to 43 feet deep, near Clitherall
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 350 acres
- Max depth
- 43 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.5 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 202 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Crane Lake
Compare Crane Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Belmont Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Clitherall285 acres
1.5 miles away
Clitherall Lake
72 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Clitherall2,540 acres
2.4 miles away
Hancock Lake
10 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Urbank199 acres
3 miles away
Eagle Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Battle Lake907 acres
3.3 miles away
Middle Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Battle Lake225 acres
4.1 miles away
Torgerson Lake
11 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Dalton148 acres
4.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Crane Lake?
Crane Lake is in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Clitherall. It covers 350 acres and reaches 43 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Crane Lake?
Crane Lake covers 350 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 43 feet.
What fish can you catch at Crane Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Crane Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Crane Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Crane Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Crane 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.