Otter Tail River

Otter Tail Lake lies in the middle of a number of river chains connecting Rush and Pine lakes to the north. Walker and Dead lakes to the northwest, Deer and East Lost lakes to the southwest, and West Battle Lake to the south. The Otter Tail River is the deepest of the rivers and can be navigated (with caution) upstream to Rush Lake. The majority of the lake is fringed by broad sand borders that extend well out into the lake, making Otter Tail a premier summer swimming and recreation lake. Otter Tail Lake is known for its excellent walleye fishing. Many perch and fair numbers of northern pike are also caught. Some of the best wintertime yellow perch fishing in the area is found on Otter Tail Lake.

Emerald shiner, spottail shiner, lake shiner, yellow perch, tullibee (cisco), and white sucker are the primary forage species. Bullhead, rock bass, burbot and juvenile panfish are also available to gamefish. The consistently high tullibee population is a sign of good water quality.