---
type: lake
name: "Paul Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Perham"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 346
max_depth_ft: 81
latitude: 46.59655
longitude: -95.69937
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "56033500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/paul-lake
---

# Paul Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Perham

- **Surface Area**: 346 acres
- **Max Depth**: 81 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 16.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Paul Lake is a 346-acre lake near Perham in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 81 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.7 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 2020.

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 18, based on 44 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**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2020
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 18
- **Years of record**: 44
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-31
- **Latest**: 1979-05-09

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little McDonald Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/little-mcdonald-lake) - 0.9 miles, 1,316 acres
- [Moenkedick Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/moenkedick-lake) - 1.2 miles, 103 acres
- [Grunard Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/grunard-lake) - 2.3 miles, 121 acres
- [Devils Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/devils-lake) - 2.9 miles, 355 acres
- [Big McDonald Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/big-mcdonald-lake) - 3.4 miles, 992 acres
- [McDonald Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/mcdonald-lake) - 3.5 miles, 561 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.59655,-95.69937)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56033500)
- [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/paul-lake)*