Lake Ethel

Details

DNR lake ID

56019300

County

Otter Tail

Surface area

191 acres

Maximum depth

64 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

69 acres, 36% of the lake

Shoreline

3.2 miles

Average water clarity

17.9 feet (Secchi disk, 3 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

July 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

6, since 1988

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

bluegill 835, hybrid sunfish 125, northern pike 84, pumpkinseed 81, yellow perch 79, largemouth bass 33, walleye 8, black crappie 7

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 15 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fry (69,000)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fry (69,000)

Stocked in 2021

walleye fry (69,000)

Stocking years on record

6 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)

Ethel Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 2 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

100 to 499 acres

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.