---
type: lake
name: "Stuart Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Vining"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 740
max_depth_ft: 49
latitude: 46.2754
longitude: -95.58166
lake_score: 64
dnr_lake_id: "56019100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/stuart-lake
---

# Stuart Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Vining

- **Surface Area**: 740 acres
- **Max Depth**: 49 ft
- **Average Depth**: 17 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 14.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 64/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Stuart Lake is a 740-acre lake near Vining in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 49 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 17 feet, and has roughly 8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.1 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 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. Special fishing regulations apply to black crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

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 10, based on 9 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**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Black Crappie**: Minimum size limit 10".
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 10
- **Years of record**: 9
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-19
- **Latest**: 2013-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [East Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/east-battle-lake) - 2 miles, 1,978 acres
- [Ellingson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/ellingson-lake) - 2.1 miles, 151 acres
- [Siverson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/siverson-lake) - 2.8 miles, 138 acres
- [West Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-battle-lake) - 3.7 miles, 5,615 acres
- [Clitherall Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/clitherall-lake) - 4.5 miles, 2,540 acres
- [Molly Stark Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/molly-stark-lake) - 5.1 miles, 152 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.2754,-95.58166)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56019100)
- [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/stuart-lake)*