Bass Lake (Otter Tail County, DOW 56072200)

Otter Tail County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 56072200

DNR records show 16 stocking entries at Bass Lake (Otter Tail County, DOW 56072200) since 2016, most recently rainbow trout adults in 2025 (228 fish).

• Bass Lake (Otter Tail County, DOW 56072200) has 16 DNR stocking records across 10 years (2016-2025): rainbow trout (15), brook trout (1).
• The most-stocked species by count is rainbow trout: 25,669 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 43 ft; surface area 34 acres, 13 littoral acres, 1.3 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: June 4, 2001 (standard survey).
• Otter Tail County, nearest town Pelican Rapids; DNR lake number (DOW) 56072200.

Stocking history

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2001

Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.

Bass Lake (26 surface acres) is a designated trout lake located in Maplewood State Park. It has a maximum depth of 39 feet and 50% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading for this survey was 14.2 feet. A carry-in access is located on the northeast shoreline. The lake was reclaimed with rotenone in 1987. A special trap net assessment was conducted in 2001 to document changes in the fish populations of various species. Bass Lake is a put and take type of trout lake. Approximately 2,500 rainbow trout are stocked on an annual basis. Black bullhead abundance has increased dramatically from the last survey in 1997. Black bullhead trap net catch per unit effort (CPUE) was 122.0 fish per net. Black bullheads were not sampled in the 1991 or 1997 surveys. Several year classes of black bullheads appear to be present. The presence of sunfish (bluegill and pumpkinseed) was documented in 2001. Trap net catch rates for these two species are high. These species were not sampled in the 1991 or 1997 lake surveys. Age data shows that multiple year classes of both species are present. A total of 14 rainbow trout were sampled. The catch rate was higher than in the 1991 or 1997 lake surveys. Rainbow trout a mean length and weight of 10.9 inches and 0.43 pound. Age data indicate that three year classes are present with 71% of the trout corresponding to the 2000 year class. Rainbow trout attain an average length of 12.1 inches at three years of age. Non-trout species were likely introduced by anglers, either intentionally or unintentionally. The result is a sub-standard trout lake. To improve the trout angling, Bass Lake will likely need to be rehabilitated with an expensive rotenone reclamation project.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, June 4, 2001.

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