Fish

Fish Lake is a 435-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in southeastern Otter Tail County approximately three miles southwest of Parkers Prairie, MN. The immediate watershed consists primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 17 feet; however, 98% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline development is very limited. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located off of County Road 79 along the east shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) is prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can even absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, 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. Fish Lake is subject to periodic winterkills; therefore, fish populations can fluctuate dependent on the frequency and extent of winterkill events. The most recent partial winterkill occurred in the winter of 1996-97. The Parkers Prairie Sportsman's Club operates an aeration unit during severe winters to minimize winterkill. A spring trap netting survey was conducted in 2025 to collect data on the Bluegill population. This was the second survey specifically targeting Bluegill on Fish Lake. Bluegill are abundant and quality fish are present as well. Age data indicates that Bluegill recruitment has been inconsistent in recent years. As such, abundance and size structure of the population can vary over time. Fish sampled ranged in size from 3.9 to 10.3 inches in length, with 77% of the Bluegills measuring 7.0 inches or greater. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.6 inches at seven years of age. There are special fish harvest regulations in effect for Fish Lake. These include a reduced daily limit of 5 sunfish and 5 crappies. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Fish Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Fish Lake is a 435-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in southeastern Otter Tail County approximately three miles southwest of Parkers Prairie, MN. The immediate watershed consists primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 17 feet; however, 98% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline development is very limited. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located off of County Road 79 along the east shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) is prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can even absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, 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. Fish Lake is subject to periodic winterkills; therefore, fish populations can fluctuate dependent on the frequency and extent of winterkill events. The most recent partial winterkill occurred in the winter of 1996-97. The Parkers Prairie Sporstman's Club operates an aeration unit during severe winters to minimize winterkill. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. Survey data indicate that Largemouth Bass abundance, growth, and reproduction occur at moderate levels. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 3.6 to 18.0 inches with an average length of 10.2 inches. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 14.4 inches at five years of age. There are special fish harvest regulations in effect for Fish Lake. These include a reduced daily limit of 5 sunfish and 5 crappies. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Fish Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Fish Lake is a 435-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in southeastern Otter Tail County approximately three miles southwest of Parkers Prairie, MN. The immediate watershed consists primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 17 feet; however, 98% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline development is very limited. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located off of County Road 79 along the east shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) is prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can even absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, 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. Fish Lake is subject to periodic winterkills; therefore, fish populations can fluctuate dependent on the frequency and extent of winterkill events. The most recent partial winterkill occurred in the winter of 1996-97. The Parkers Prairie Sportsman's Club operates an aeration unit during severe winters to minimize winterkill. An abundant Bluegill population exists. Bluegill size structure is excellent with 41% of the Bluegills measuring 7.0 inches or greater in length. The 2015 year class is strong and should provide consistently good Bluegill angling for several years. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.1 inches at four years of age. Black Crappies are also abundant. Thirteen percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. The 2015 year class is strong and should provide consistently good crappie angling for several years. Crappies attain an average length of 9.9 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Fish Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Pumpkinseed in Fish. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Fish. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Fish has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Fish is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Fish in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Fish, covering crappie and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.