Big McDonald Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

56038601

County

Otter Tail

Surface area

992 acres

Maximum depth

46 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

368 acres, 37% of the lake

Shoreline

5.8 miles

Average water clarity

13.0 feet (Secchi disk, 5 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Perham

Latest DNR fish survey

August 2025, standard survey

Surveys on record

9, since 1986

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

bluegill 243, northern pike 151, walleye 97, rock bass 42, pumpkinseed 37, largemouth bass 34, hybrid sunfish 24, black crappie 17

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 14 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fingerlings (4,250)

Stocked in 2024

walleye fingerlings (4,427)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fingerlings (5,500)

Stocking years on record

9 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)

Big McDonald Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 9 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Infested waters list

zebra mussel

Fish consumption

Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

500 to 1,999 acres

Deepest point

30 to 59 feet

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  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.