Middle

Middle Lake is a 194-acre mesotrohpic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles south of Battle Lake, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 56 feet; however, 52% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 10.0 to 17.5 feet. A majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southwest shoreline in the Jensen Wildlife Management Area. 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. A special harvest regulation for Largemouth Bass was implemented in 2008. All bass 12.0 inches and longer must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The objective of the regulation is to maintain or improve the size structure of the Largemouth Bass population. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. A moderate to high-density population exists. Age data indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 2.8 to 19.0 inches with an average length and weight of 12.5 inches and 1.2 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 10.9 inches at five years of age. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (5 per day) was implemented in 2022. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. Anglers can also 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. Middle Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2020. 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.

Middle Lake is a 194-acre mesotrohpic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles south of Battle Lake, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 56 feet; however, 52% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 10.0 to 17.5 feet. The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southwest shoreline in the Jensen Wildlife Management Area. 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. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (5 per day) was implemented in 2022. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. A special spring trapnetting survey was conducted to collect baseline data on the Bluegill population, which will be used for regulation evaluation purposes in future surveys. The Bluegill population is extremely abundant and has a quality size structure. Eighty-one percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 27% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.3 inches at seven years of age. A special harvest regulation for Largemouth Bass was implemented in 2008. All bass 12.0 inches and longer must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The objective of the regulation is to maintain or improve the size structure of the Largemouth Bass population. 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. Middle Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2020. 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.

Middle Lake is a 194-acre mesotrohpic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles south of Battle Lake, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 56 feet; however, 52% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Secchi disk readings have ranged from 10.0 to 17.5 feet. The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southwest shoreline in the Jensen Wildlife Management Area. 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. A special harvest regulation for Largemouth Bass was implemented in 2008. All bass 12.0 inches and longer must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The objective of the regulation is to maintain or improve the size structure of the Largemouth Bass population. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. Data indicate that a high density, slow growing population exists. Bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 2.9 to 19.7 inches with an average length and weight of 10.6 inches and 0.8 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 11.7 inches at five 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. Middle 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 Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed in Middle. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Middle has a maximum depth of 56 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Middle is from 2024.

Yes — Middle has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 2 special rules for Middle, covering largemouth bass 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.