Indian

Otter Tail County

Near Dalton

DOW: 56063900

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 100Yellow PerchExcellent · 91Northern PikeGood · 67

A 157-acre lake near Dalton in Otter Tail County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1972.

Fish Species (9)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 7.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	7.83	-	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 91

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 76.5 per gill net · typical 1.9–19.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	1.50	-	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1972	76.50	-	0.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 67

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.08 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 2.7–9.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	4.00	-	3.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1972	2.17	-	1.48 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 67

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 42.7 per trap net · typical 2.9–41.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	42.67	-	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1972	3.50	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 62

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 7.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	7.50	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1972	0.50	-	2.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 59

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.57 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per trap net · typical 0.7–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	0.50	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1972	0.67	-	0.57 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 45

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	0.83	-	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Poor · 14

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per trap net · typical 0.4–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	0.67	-	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1972	0.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

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

White Sucker

Excellent · 88

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.85 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1972	5.00	-	2.85 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1972	0.17	-	2.70 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.

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

Biologist Notes

July 31, 1972Compared to their respective statewide medians, the test net catch rates of northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, and hybri…

Compared to their respective statewide medians, the test net catch rates of northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish were all sampled in above average numbers. The catch rates of yellow perch and bluegills were especially high. Pumpkinseeds and black crappies were sampled in below average numbers. Shoreline seining indicated good natural reproduction for largemouth bass, bluegills, and black crappies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Indian?

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

Is there public access at Indian?

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

How deep is Indian?

Indian has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Indian last surveyed?

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

Does Indian have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Indian?

No — Indian 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.