Mule

Otter Tail County

Near Edward

DOW: 56068900

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 98Black CrappieExcellent · 98PumpkinseedExcellent · 94

A 53-acre lake near Edward in Otter Tail County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1992.

Fish Species (11)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 98

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.37 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	3.50	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Excellent · 98

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 7.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	7.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Excellent · 94

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 5.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	5.75	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 58

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	0.75	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 22, 1992	4.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Poor · 12

Below-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.00 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	1.00	-	3.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 22, 1992	0.25	-	2.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 4

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.43 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	0.75	-	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.68 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	1.25	-	1.68 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Stocked 2021

Last Stocked

2021

Size Class

yearlings

Total Fish

560

Frequency

once

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2021	yearlings	560	80.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Brown Bullhead

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 9.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	9.25	-	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 11.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	11.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 47.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1992	79.50	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 22, 1992	47.75	-	0.16 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").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 22, 1992Mule Lake is included in class 33 of the MN DNR lake classification system. Other area lakes in this class include: Anderson, Belmont, Jim, and Tonset…

Mule Lake is included in class 33 of the MN DNR lake classification system. Other area lakes in this class include: Anderson, Belmont, Jim, and Tonseth. Northern pike abundance is below normal for this lake class with a gill net catch rate of 1.0 per lift. The average weight of individual northern pike was 2.9 pounds. Age and catch data indicate that pike reproduction is limited. The gill net catch rate of black bullheads was 79.5 per lift, which is 3.6 times greater than the upper limit of the normal range. Yellow bullhead abundance, as indexed by a trap net catch rate of 11.3 per lift, also exceeded the normal range. The trap net catch rate of bluegills was 0.8 per lift, and is 8.1 times less than the lower limit of the normal range. Largemouth bass abundance is above normal with a trap net catch rate of 1.3 per lift. There appears to be consistent bass natural reproduction as three consecutive year classes were represented in the age-class distribution (ages II-IV). Black crappie abundance is above normal with a trap net catch rate of 7.3 per lift. Crappie reproduction appears to be consistent as four consecutive year classes (ages II-V) were represented in the sample. Strong 1988 and 1990 year classes composed 31% and 38% of the black crappie sample, respectively. Growth rates of crappies are slightly slower than statewide averages with a mean length at age IV of 7.7 inches. The gill net catch rate of yellow perch was 4.0 per lift, which is within the normal range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Mule?

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

Is there public access at Mule?

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

How deep is Mule?

Mule has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Mule last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mule is from 1992. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Mule have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Mule?

No — Mule 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.