---
type: lake
name: "Franklin Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Pelican Rapids"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1088
max_depth_ft: 48
latitude: 46.64207
longitude: -95.97515
lake_score: 59
dnr_lake_id: "56075900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/franklin-lake
---

# Franklin Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Pelican Rapids

- **Surface Area**: 1,088 acres
- **Max Depth**: 48 ft
- **Shoreline**: 12.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 59/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Franklin Lake is a 1,088-acre lake near Pelican Rapids in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 48 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.3 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. Special fishing regulations apply to black and white crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 2 public boat launches (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 21, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Black and White Crappie**: Minimum size limit 10". Daily limit five.
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## 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 21
- **Years of record**: 13
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-29
- **Latest**: 2022-05-06

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Lizzie (North Portion)](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/lake-lizzie-north-portion) - 1.8 miles, 1,913 acres
- [Lake Crystal](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/lake-crystal) - 2.2 miles, 1,413 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/fish-lake-pelican-rapids) - 2.9 miles, 293 acres
- [Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/sand-lake) - 4 miles, 152 acres
- [North Lida Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/north-lida-lake) - 4.4 miles, 5,523 acres
- [Pelican Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pelican-lake) - 4.5 miles, 3,962 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.64207,-95.97515)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56075900)
- [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/franklin-lake)*