---
type: lake
name: "Otter Tail Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Ottertail"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 14079
max_depth_ft: 120
latitude: 46.40054
longitude: -95.66316
lake_score: 74
dnr_lake_id: "56024200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/otter-tail-lake
---

# Otter Tail Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Ottertail

- **Surface Area**: 14,079 acres
- **Max Depth**: 120 ft
- **Shoreline**: 23.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 74/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Otter Tail Lake is a 14,079-acre lake near Ottertail in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 120 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 23.7 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Otter Tail County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.4 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 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 2024.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. 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 51 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Sturgeon, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 51
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-16
- **Latest**: 2013-05-13

## Nearby Lakes

- [Walker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/walker-lake) - 2.6 miles, 578 acres
- [Ethel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/ethel-lake) - 3.5 miles, 191 acres
- [Blanche Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/blanche-lake) - 3.7 miles, 1,296 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pickerel-lake-ottertail) - 4.1 miles, 71 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/round-lake-amor) - 4.9 miles, 158 acres
- [Annie Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/annie-battle-lake) - 5.1 miles, 354 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.40054,-95.66316)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56024200)
- [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/otter-tail-lake)*