Head Lake
About Head Lake
Head Lake is a 400-acre lake near Richville in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 26 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.4 miles of shoreline.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Head Lake
- 400 acres, up to 26 feet deep, near Richville
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 400 acres
- Max depth
- 26 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.4 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 137 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
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Head Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Head Lake
Compare Head Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Round Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Ottertail273 acres
1.2 miles away
Boedigheimer Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Richville169 acres
2.3 miles away
Buchanan Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Ottertail964 acres
3.6 miles away
Lake Marion
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Richville1,624 acres
3.9 miles away
Rush Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Ottertail5,276 acres
4.3 miles away
Walker Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Ottertail578 acres
4.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Head Lake?
Head Lake is in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Richville. It covers 400 acres and reaches 26 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Head Lake?
Head Lake covers 400 acres with about 7.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 26 feet.
What fish can you catch at Head Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Head Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Head Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Head Lake.
Can you swim at Head Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Head 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.
Can you camp at Head Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.