Whoever dubbed Minnesota "The Land of a Thousand Lakes" must have been from the Otter Tail Region. Boasting over 1048 lakes within its borders, Otter Tail County has more lakes than any other county in the entire United States. Many have dubbed this area as "The Vacationland for All Seasons" because of its combination of scenic beauty, historical attractions, and recreational facilities that can be enjoyed by families all year round.
Located in the heart of Otter Tail County about 17 miles east north east of Fergus Falls is Otter Tail Lake, the largest lake in the county at 13,728 surface acres. Otter Tail Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine, and Little Pine Lakes are located upstream and Deer, East Lost, and West Lost lakes are located downstream. Primary inlets are the Otter Tail River along the north shoreline and the Dead River along the northwest shoreline. The Otter Tail River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline. Otter Tail Lake has a maximum depth of 120 feet; however, 57% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The majority of the lake is surrounded by residential and commercial development.
Otter Tail is a very popular lake for both open water and winter angling. It is known primarily as a walleye lake and is one of the few lakes in the area that supports a yellow perch fishery.
West Battle Lake is a 5,624 acre lake located 17 miles east of Fergus Falls. It's a popular and heavily developed lake with the city of Battle Lake taking up most of its western bank with 505 homes/cottages and 5 resorts (as of 1995) distributed along the rest of the shore. The maximum depth is 108 feet; however, 44% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Water clarity in this lake is excellent with a secchi disk reading of 19.5ft. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat.
East Battle Lake is a 2,360-acre lake located in south-central Otter Tail County, approximately two miles north of Vining, MN. East Battle Lake is connected to West Battle Lake via Battle Lake Creek. The maximum depth is 87 feet; however, 35% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. A majority of the shoreline is developed with homes, cabins, and resorts. Development is distributed around the entire lake and has been shown to negatively impact water quality by increasing nutrient inputs and shoreline erosion.
East Battle Lake is a popular angling lake. Northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of East Battle Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available.
Big Pine Lake is a 4,730-acre mesotrophic lake located in northeastern Otter Tail County approximately three miles east of Perham, MN. Big Pine Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed and is connected to Little Pine and Rush Lakes via the Otter Tail River. The maximum depth of Big Pine Lake is 76 feet; however, fifty percent of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The shoreline of Big Pine Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. As of 1992, nine resorts and approximately 202 homes/cottages were built on Big Pine Lake's shore.
Big Pine Lake is a popular angling lake. The lake has a reputation as one of the premier walleye angling lakes in Otter Tail County. Northern pike and yellow perch are also abundant and have good size distributions as well. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available.
North Lida Lake is located in northwestern Otter Tail County five miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. It is a 5, 564 acre lake with a maximum depth of 58 feet. It is connected to South Lida Lake via a navigable culvert under State Highway 101. A majority of the shoreline on North Lida Lake has been developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the development. The 1995 lake resurvey referenced 471 homes/cottages and nine resorts.
North Lida Lake is a popular angling lake and is one of the best all around angling lakes in Otter Tail County. Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie are the dominant fish species in North Lida Lake.
Pelican Lake is located near the Becker/Otter Tail County border approximately seven miles north of Pelican Rapids, MN. This 3,986 acre lake has a maximum depth of 55 ft; however, 41% of the lake is less than 15 ft. deep. The southern portion of the lake, known as Fish Lake, is 309 acres. Pelican Lake is connected to Little Pelican Lake and Lake Lizzie via the Pelican River. Boat travel upstream to Little Pelican is possible, but Lake Lizzie is inaccessible because of a dam downstream. The shoreline of Pelican Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. DNR owned concrete public water accesses are located along the east and southwest shorelines of the lake. Pelican Lake is a popular angling lake during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. The lake is best known for its excellent walleye, northern pike, and bluegill fishing.
For Lakeshoredreams.com, the counties grouped in Otter Tail MN include:
Wilkin County MN, Otter Tail County MN
