Dead Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

56038300

County

Otter Tail

Surface area

7,546 acres

Maximum depth

65 feet

Mean depth

10 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

6,537 acres, 87% of the lake

Shoreline

41.0 miles

Average water clarity

6.2 feet (Secchi disk, 17 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

August 2024, standard survey

Surveys on record

14, since 1982

Game fish caught in the 2024 survey

bluegill 501, pumpkinseed 152, northern pike 55, walleye 50, black crappie 45, largemouth bass 28, hybrid sunfish 25, yellow perch 24

Fish species recorded

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

Stocked in 2025

walleye fry (6,537,000)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fry (6,500,000)

Stocked in 2021

walleye fry (6,537,000)

Stocking years on record

5 of the last 10 (2017 to 2025)

Dead Lake WMA Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, natural ramp, 6 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife

Dead Lake (SW) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 17 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Dead Lake (SE) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 10 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Dead Lake (N) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 2 trailer spaces, run by Dead Lake Township

Infested waters list

zebra mussel

Fish consumption

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

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

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.