The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (upper arm) is open for everyone; the other 4 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Otter Tail Lake
Otter Tail County, Minnesota · 13,700 acres (21.4 sq mi)
46°F water, calm this morning.
About Otter Tail Lake
Otter Tail Lake spreads over 13,700 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Otter Tail Lake ranks as the tenth-largest lake located entirely within Minnesota.
From end to end it runs about 8 miles with roughly 22 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 1,320 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 120 ft. The nearest town, Perham, is about 11 miles north. Fargo, the nearest city, is about 61 miles northwest.
- Size
- 13,700 acres (21.4 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 120 ft
- Shoreline
- About 22 miles
- End to end
- About 8 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,320 ft
- Type
- Natural lake
- County
- Otter Tail County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise
- 3:15 pm – 5:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 9 mph
- 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Otter Tail Lake
Otter Tail Lake holds walleye and northern pike. With the surface at 46°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Upper arm
The lake narrows toward the incoming river or creek; moving water carries food.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
4 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:21 am · sunset 4:51 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Otter Tail Lake
- Perhamabout 11 mi north
- New York Millsabout 12 mi northeast
- Fergus Fallsabout 17 mi west
- Frazeeabout 20 mi north
- Fargonearest city, about 61 mi northwest
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Questions about Otter Tail Lake
What fish are in Otter Tail Lake?
Otter Tail Lake holds walleye and northern pike. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Otter Tail Lake?
About 120 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Otter Tail Lake?
13,700 acres, with about 22 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Otter Tail Lake?
Perham is about 11 miles north; New York Mills is about 12 miles northeast.
What is the water temperature at Otter Tail Lake today?
The surface was about 46°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Otter Tail Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
