Tonseth Lake
About Tonseth Lake
Tonseth Lake is a 149-acre lake near Erhard in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 27 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 3.2 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1999.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 15, based on 39 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Tonseth Lake
- 149 acres, up to 27 feet deep, near Erhard
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 149 acres
- Max depth
- 27 ft
- Average depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.2 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 79 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 12
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1999
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 15
- Years of record
- 39
- Earliest
- March 22, 2012
- Latest
- May 9, 2013
- Most recent
- May 3, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Tonseth Lake
Compare Tonseth Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Heilberger Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Erhard221 acres
1.2 miles away
Anderson Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Erhard89 acres
1.6 miles away
Eddy Lake
10 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Edwards141 acres
2.9 miles away
Long Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Edwards288 acres
2.9 miles away
Twenty-one Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Erhard142 acres
3.5 miles away
Long Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreOtter Tail · Fergus Falls767 acres
4.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tonseth Lake?
Tonseth Lake is in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Erhard. It covers 149 acres and reaches 27 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Tonseth Lake?
Tonseth Lake covers 149 acres with about 3.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 27 feet and its average depth is about 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Tonseth Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Tonseth Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Tonseth Lake.
Can you swim at Tonseth Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Tonseth Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Tonseth Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Tonseth Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Tonseth Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 15, from 39 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 22, 2012 and the latest is May 9, 2013.