McDonald Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

56038603

County

Otter Tail

Surface area

561 acres

Maximum depth

33 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

295 acres, 53% of the lake

Shoreline

7.6 miles

Average water clarity

11.0 feet (Secchi disk, 1 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

May 2022, targeted survey

Surveys on record

5, since 1977

Game fish caught in the 2022 survey

black crappie 146

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 5 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fry (148,000)

Stocked in 2024

walleye fingerlings (2,850)

Stocked in 2021

walleye fingerlings (1,235)

Stocking years on record

5 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)

McDonald Lake, Seclusion Point Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 14 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 not 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.