Head

Otter Tail County

Near Richville

DOW: 56021300

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 100Green SunfishExcellent · 97PumpkinseedExcellent · 92

A 400-acre lake near Richville in Otter Tail County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1977.

Fish Species (13)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 5.4 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	5.36	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Green Sunfish

Excellent · 97

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.36 lbs

Catch rate: 14.4 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	14.45	-	0.36 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Excellent · 92

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.26 lbs

Catch rate: 24.6 per trap net · typical 2–8.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	0.33	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 1977	24.64	-	0.26 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 63

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.19 lbs

Catch rate: 43.8 per trap net · typical 6.1–46.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	43.82	-	0.19 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 15.3 per gill net · typical 3.4–43.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	1.45	-	0.19 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 1977	15.33	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.95 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	1.67	-	0.95 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 1977	2.09	-	0.41 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 48

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 1.3–5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	1.00	-	2.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 1977	0.09	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 47

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.41 lbs

Catch rate: 0.64 per trap net · typical 0.7–3.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	0.64	-	0.41 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 41

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.17 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 3.5–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	8.00	-	1.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 1977	0.64	-	1.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (4)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.62 lbs

Catch rate: 3.6 per trap net · typical 0.4–2.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	3.64	-	0.62 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 1977	1.00	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.56 lbs

Catch rate: 13.6 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	1.33	-	0.38 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 1977	13.55	-	0.56 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 67

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.62 lbs

Catch rate: 2.9 per trap net · typical 0.3–3.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	2.91	-	0.62 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 1977	22.33	-	0.63 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 59

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1977

Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1977	1.00	-	2.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best hybrid sunfish lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 21, 1977Results of test-netting indicate that the catch rates of northern pike, yellow perch, bullheads, largemouth bass, and sunfish were all well above aver…

Results of test-netting indicate that the catch rates of northern pike, yellow perch, bullheads, largemouth bass, and sunfish were all well above average. The catch rates of walleyes and black crappies were below average.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Head?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch in Head. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Head?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Head. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Head?

Head has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Head last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Head is from 1977. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Head have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Head?

No — Head has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.