East Lost

East Lost Lake is a 501-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately five miles north of Battle Lake, MN. The Otter Tail River flows through East Lost Lake, which is connected upstream to Deer Lake and approximately three river miles downstream from Otter Tail Lake. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. East Lost Lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet; however, 65% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.2 to 11.5 feet. A majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cabins. An unimproved, carry-in DNR public access is located on the west shoreline. Boat access can be obtained through the DNR public access located on adjacent Deer Lake. Stands of hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are located at various locations around the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical in maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from wave erosion and help absorb excess nutrients. Emergent plants also provide critical spawning habitat for several fish species including Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for many species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants cannot be removed without a DNR permit. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2021. The objective of the regulation is to improve and maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. A special spring trapnetting survey was conducted to collect 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 moderate quality size structure. Thirty-two percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while three percent was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.9 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can also maintain or improve 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. East Lost Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. 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.

East Lost Lake is a 501-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately five miles north of Battle Lake, MN. The Otter Tail River flows through East Lost Lake, which is approximately three river miles downstream from Otter Tail Lake. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. East Lost Lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet; however, 65% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.2 to 11.5 feet. A majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cabins. An unimproved, carry-in DNR public access is located on the west shoreline. Boat access can be obtained through the DNR public access located on adjacent Deer Lake. Stands of hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are located at various locations around the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical in maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from wave erosion and help absorb excess nutrients. Emergent plants also provide critical spawning habitat for several fish species including Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for many species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants cannot be removed without a DNR permit. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2021. The objective of the regulation is to improve and 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 moderate quality size structure. Seventy-five percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 19% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.3 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can also maintain or improve 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. East Lost Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. 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.

East Lost Lake is a 501-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately five miles north of Battle Lake, MN. The Otter Tail River flows through East Lost Lake, which is approximately three river miles downstream from Otter Tail Lake. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. East Lost Lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet; however, 65% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading was 11.5 feet. Secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.2 to 11.5 feet. A majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cabins. An unimproved, carry-in DNR public access is located on the west shoreline. Boat access can be obtained through the DNR public access located on adjacent Deer Lake. Stands of hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are located at various locations around the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical in maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from wave erosion and help absorb excess nutrients. Emergent plants also provide critical spawning habitat for several fish species including Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for many species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants cannot be removed without a DNR permit. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.6 to 19.7 inches with an average length and weight of 15.2 inches and 1.2 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.3 inches at four years of age. Bluegill size structure remains good with 53% of the sample measuring 7.0 inches or greater in length and 10% measuring 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.5 inches at six years of age. A low density Northern Pike population exists. Northern Pike ranged in length from 12.2 to 32.2 inches with an average length and weight of 19.7 inches and 1.9 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 20.1 inches at four years of age. A Lake Sturgeon re-introduction plan was implemented in 2002 when yearling Lake Sturgeon were stocked into Otter Tail Lake. Lake Sturgeon fingerlings have been stocked into Otter Tail Lake on an annual basis since 2004 and will be stocked annually through 2022. The objective of the re-introduction plan is to re-establish a self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon population in the Otter Tail River system. Lake Sturgeon sampled in the 2019 standard survey ranged in length from 28.9 to 52.9 inches with an average length and weight of 36.8 inches and 6.4 pounds. Anglers can maintain or improve 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. East Lost Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. 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, Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Rock Bass in East Lost. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

East Lost has a maximum depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in East Lost is from 2019.

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

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for East Lost, covering 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.