---
type: lake
name: "Hoot Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Fergus Falls"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 161
max_depth_ft: 20
latitude: 46.3054
longitude: -96.03102
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "56078200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/hoot-lake
---

# Hoot Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Fergus Falls

- **Surface Area**: 161 acres
- **Max Depth**: 20 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Hoot Lake is a 161-acre lake near Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 20 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.7 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 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 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. 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**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Sturgeon, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Wright Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/wright-lake) - 0.7 miles, 67 acres
- [Pebble Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pebble-lake) - 3.7 miles, 195 acres
- [Wall Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/wall-lake) - 4.1 miles, 727 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/fish-lake) - 5.9 miles, 1,078 acres
- [Dayton Hollow Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/dayton-hollow-reservoir) - 5.9 miles, 227 acres
- [Otter Tail River Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/otter-tail-river-reservoir) - 6 miles, 313 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.3054,-96.03102)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56078200)
- [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/hoot-lake)*