---
type: lake
name: "Ethel Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Ottertail"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 191
max_depth_ft: 64
latitude: 46.35756
longitude: -95.62341
lake_score: 64
dnr_lake_id: "56019300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/ethel-lake
---

# Ethel Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Ottertail

- **Surface Area**: 191 acres
- **Max Depth**: 64 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 17.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 64/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Ethel Lake is a 191-acre lake near Ottertail in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 64 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.9 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

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**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Blanche Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/blanche-lake) - 1.8 miles, 1,296 acres
- [Annie Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/annie-battle-lake) - 2.7 miles, 354 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pickerel-lake-ottertail) - 3 miles, 71 acres
- [Otter Tail Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/otter-tail-lake) - 3.5 miles, 14,079 acres
- [Molly Stark Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/molly-stark-lake) - 3.7 miles, 152 acres
- [West Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-battle-lake) - 4.7 miles, 5,615 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.35756,-95.62341)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56019300)
- [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/ethel-lake)*