---
type: lake
name: "West Leaf Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Ottertail"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 700
max_depth_ft: 55
latitude: 46.41035
longitude: -95.49198
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "56011400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-leaf-lake
---

# West Leaf Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Ottertail

- **Surface Area**: 700 acres
- **Max Depth**: 55 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

West Leaf Lake is a 700-acre lake near Ottertail in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 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**: 18
- **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, 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

- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/portage-lake) - 1.9 miles, 269 acres
- [Middle Leaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/middle-leaf-lake) - 2 miles, 404 acres
- [Donalds Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/donalds-lake) - 3 miles, 166 acres
- [East Leaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/east-leaf-lake) - 3.4 miles, 423 acres
- [Buchanan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/buchanan-lake) - 4.1 miles, 964 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pickerel-lake-ottertail) - 4.4 miles, 71 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.41035,-95.49198)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56011400)
- [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/west-leaf-lake)*