Primary outflows Otter Tail River Surface area 21 sq mi (54 km) Settlements Ottertail, Minnesota Outflow location Otter Tail River Cities Ottertail | Basin countries United States Max. depth 120 ft (37 m) Area 54.39 km² Inflow source Otter Tail River | |
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Primary inflows | ||
Ice fishing on otter tail lake
Otter Tail Lake is a 21-square-mile (54 km2) lake in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the largest lake in Otter Tail County.
Contents
- Ice fishing on otter tail lake
- Map of Otter Tail Lake Minnesota USA
- The lodge on otter tail lake battle lake minnesota
- GeographyEdit
- RecreationEdit
- References
Map of Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota, USA
The lodge on otter tail lake battle lake minnesota
GeographyEdit
Adjoining the city of Ottertail, it is a part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Upstream from the lake are Big Pine, Little Pine and Rush lakes, while downstream are East Lost, West Lost and Deer lakes. The maximum depth is 120 feet (37 m), but 57% of the lake is 15 feet (4.6 m) deep or less. The shore of the lake and at least the shallower areas are composed of sand and gravel. The water clarity is 10.5 feet (3.2 m), which is considered good. A prominent feature of Otter Tail is the "point" which essentially divides the lake into eastern and western halves.
Otter Tail lake is ringed with a tall, mostly deciduous tree line. In general, the tree line goes back around 300 yards from the shore and acts as a windbreak, keeping the shoreline calm compared to the center of the lake.
The waters of Otter Tail Lake ultimately flow north into Hudson Bay through the Red River of the North.
At 13,725 acres it is the tenth largest lake completely within the borders of Minnesota.
RecreationEdit
It is a recreational destination, with the majority of its shores surrounded by residential and commercial development. The lake is known for fishing; walleye and Northern pike are most prevalent and the most sought after by anglers. The lake is also a popular destination for boating, power-boats and jet-skis, but also sailing. Because of the lake's large size, winds can pick up enough in the center of the lake for fairly challenging sailing. The heyday of sailing on the lake was the late 1960s through the mid-1980s, when the lake held annual sailing races. Especially popular at this time was the hobie cat.
Ottertail Lake is also the home of the Reel Country Classic, a two-day fishing tournament that has taken place every May since 2005.