Elbow

Otter Tail County

Near Dent

DOW: 56051400

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 100Black CrappieGood · 71Northern PikeGood · 69

A 96-acre lake near Dent in Otter Tail County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1991.

Fish Species (10)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 26.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	26.75	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 71

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.34 lbs

Catch rate: 4.8 per trap net · typical 0.7–3.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	4.75	-	0.34 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.87 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 3.1–8.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	5.00	-	2.87 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 1991	1.25	-	0.94 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 68

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 79.5 per trap net · typical 5.6–42.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	79.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 58

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 11.0 per trap net · typical 1.7–8.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	11.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 10, 1991	3.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill 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.

Black Bullhead

Excellent · 86

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.82 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	0.50	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 1991	6.00	-	0.82 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 63

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.03 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	0.75	-	1.03 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.56 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	4.00	-	0.56 lbs	Standard trap nets

Common Carp

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

4.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1991	0.50	-	4.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best hybrid sunfish lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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).

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 10, 1991Elbow Lake is included in class 25 of the MN DNR lake classification system. Other area lakes in this class include: Beers, South Lida, Stuart, and Sw…

Elbow Lake is included in class 25 of the MN DNR lake classification system. Other area lakes in this class include: Beers, South Lida, Stuart, and Swan. Tullibee abundance was 29.5 per gill net lift, which is three times greater than the upper limit of the normal range for this lake class. Northern pike abundance was within the normal range at 5.0 per gill net lift. Age data for pike indicate successful recruitment as five year classes were present in the sample. Bluegill abundance exceeded the normal range at 79.5 per trap net lift. Bluegill growth rates are below statewide averages. Five consecutive year classes were sampled and year class strength appears to be highly variable. Twenty-six percent of the bluegills measured were greater than 7.0 inches in length. Black crappie abundance was two times greater than the upper limit of the normal range at 4.8 per trap net lift. Black crappie growth rates exceed statewide averages. Crappie recruitment is consistent as five consecutive year classes were present in the sample. Yellow perch abundance was within the normal range at 3.0 per gill net lift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Elbow?

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

Is there public access at Elbow?

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

How deep is Elbow?

Elbow has a maximum depth of 85 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Elbow last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Elbow is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Elbow have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Elbow?

No — Elbow 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.