---
type: lake
name: "McDonald Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Dent"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 561
max_depth_ft: 33
latitude: 46.56584
longitude: -95.75865
lake_score: 47
dnr_lake_id: "56038603"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/mcdonald-lake
---

# McDonald Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Dent

- **Surface Area**: 561 acres
- **Max Depth**: 33 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 47/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

McDonald Lake is a 561-acre lake near Dent in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 33 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 2 fish species here, including largemouth bass and black crappie. 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 2022.

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 16, based on 29 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**: 2
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 29
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-31
- **Latest**: 2013-05-10

## Nearby Lakes

- [Big McDonald Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/big-mcdonald-lake) - 1.1 miles, 992 acres
- [West McDonald Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-mcdonald-lake) - 1.8 miles, 597 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/round-lake-dent) - 1.8 miles, 173 acres
- [Hoffman Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/hoffman-lake) - 2.4 miles, 157 acres
- [Grunard Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/grunard-lake) - 3.3 miles, 121 acres
- [Paul Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/paul-lake) - 3.5 miles, 346 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.56584,-95.75865)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56038603)
- [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/mcdonald-lake)*