Clitherall Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

56023800

County

Otter Tail

Surface area

2,540 acres

Maximum depth

69 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

805 acres, 32% of the lake

Shoreline

14.8 miles

Average water clarity

15.1 feet (Secchi disk, 6 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

July 2024, standard survey

Surveys on record

11, since 1981

Game fish caught in the 2024 survey

bluegill 310, rock bass 126, largemouth bass 91, walleye 75, pumpkinseed 75, northern pike 47, hybrid sunfish 43, black crappie 40

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 19 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye adults (153); walleye fingerlings (23,700); walleye yearlings (463)

Stocked in 2024

walleye fingerlings (15,000); walleye adults (3,930)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fingerlings (1,065); walleye yearlings (4,254); walleye fingerlings (11,200)

Stocking years on record

10 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)

Clitherall Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 2 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Infested waters list

zebra mussel

Special regulation

Smallmouth Bass: All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.

Eating advice, general populations

bullhead: all sizes - 2 servings/week

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Lake-specific eating advice

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota Department of Health fish consumption guidelines
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.