---
type: lake
name: "Dead Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Dent"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 7546
max_depth_ft: 65
latitude: 46.47946
longitude: -95.74994
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "56038300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/dead-lake
---

# Dead Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Dent

- **Surface Area**: 7,546 acres
- **Max Depth**: 65 ft
- **Average Depth**: 10 ft
- **Shoreline**: 41 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Dead Lake is a 7,546-acre lake near Dent in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 41 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 126 Otter Tail County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.2 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2024.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the township and Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 14, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: township, Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 14
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-31
- **Latest**: 2008-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pickerel-lake) - 4.5 miles, 849 acres
- [Walker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/walker-lake) - 4.6 miles, 578 acres
- [Star Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/star-lake) - 4.8 miles, 4,486 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/round-lake-dent) - 5.3 miles, 173 acres
- [Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/twin-lake) - 5.4 miles, 369 acres
- [Lake Marion](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/lake-marion) - 5.6 miles, 1,624 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.47946,-95.74994)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56038300)
- [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/dead-lake)*