---
type: lake
name: "Deer Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Battle Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 447
max_depth_ft: 26
latitude: 46.35925
longitude: -95.76754
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "56029800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/deer-lake
---

# Deer Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Battle Lake

- **Surface Area**: 447 acres
- **Max Depth**: 26 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Deer Lake is a 447-acre lake near Battle Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 26 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.1 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

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. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.

## 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**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Sturgeon, 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 20
- **Years of record**: 8
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-15
- **Latest**: 2023-04-30

## Nearby Lakes

- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/round-lake-amor) - 0.9 miles, 158 acres
- [East Lost Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/east-lost-lake) - 1.2 miles, 483 acres
- [Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/twin-lake) - 3.1 miles, 369 acres
- [First Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/first-silver-lake) - 4.2 miles, 529 acres
- [North Turtle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/north-turtle-lake) - 4.3 miles, 1,773 acres
- [Anna Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/anna-lake) - 4.5 miles, 598 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.35925,-95.76754)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56029800)
- [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/deer-lake)*