---
type: lake
name: "Middle Leaf Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Ottertail"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 404
max_depth_ft: 43
latitude: 46.40306
longitude: -95.4523
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "56011601"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/middle-leaf-lake
---

# Middle Leaf Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Ottertail

- **Surface Area**: 404 acres
- **Max Depth**: 43 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Middle Leaf Lake is a 404-acre lake near Ottertail in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 43 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.2 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 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 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.

## 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**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **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, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [East Leaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/east-leaf-lake) - 1.4 miles, 423 acres
- [West Leaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-leaf-lake) - 2 miles, 700 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/portage-lake) - 3.8 miles, 269 acres
- [Donalds Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/donalds-lake) - 4.9 miles, 166 acres
- [Buchanan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/buchanan-lake) - 5.9 miles, 964 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pickerel-lake-ottertail) - 6.1 miles, 71 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.40306,-95.4523)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56011601)
- [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/middle-leaf-lake)*