Tenter

Otter Tail County

Near Dent

DOW: 56034800

Yellow PerchExcellent · 79WalleyeGood · 74BluegillGood · 61

A 83-acre lake near Dent in Otter Tail County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1972.

Fish Species (9)

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 79

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 88.3 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	4.83	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1972	88.33	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 74

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 13.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	13.33	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1972	1.00	-	0.45 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 61

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 22.0 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	22.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1972	1.67	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 59

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.26 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	6.00	-	2.26 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1972	0.17	-	3.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	1.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1972	3.00	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 38

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.19 lbs

Catch rate: 5.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	5.50	-	0.19 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

White Sucker

Excellent · 89

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.13 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	5.00	-	3.13 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 51

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.13 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	1.67	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1972	0.50	-	1.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 43

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1972	0.17	-	1.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best yellow perch 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)

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

July 24, 1972All species of fish sampled in the test nets, with the exception of Bullheads, were sampled in above average numbers when compared with statewide net-…

All species of fish sampled in the test nets, with the exception of Bullheads, were sampled in above average numbers when compared with statewide net-catch medians. The Walleye population is in good shape with good numbers sampled and many sizes represented.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Tenter?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Walleye, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Pumpkinseed in Tenter. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Tenter?

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

How deep is Tenter?

Tenter has a maximum depth of 63 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Tenter last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Tenter is from 1972. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Tenter have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Tenter?

No — Tenter has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.