Beers Lake

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

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 56072400

DNR records show 5 stocking entries at Beers Lake since 2016, most recently muskellunge fingerlings in 2024 (200 fish).

• Beers Lake has 5 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2016-2024): muskellunge (5).
• The most-stocked species by count is muskellunge: 890 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 61 ft; surface area 317 acres, 96 littoral acres, 6.7 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 14.2 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: largemouth bass, muskellunge.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: May 6, 2023 (targeted survey).
• Otter Tail County, nearest town Pelican Rapids; DNR lake number (DOW) 56072400.

Stocking history

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2023

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.

Beers Lake is a 195-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located entirely within Maplewood State Park in northwest Otter Tail County approximately ten miles southeast of Pelican Rapids, MN. There are no inlets or outlets located on Beers Lake. Beers Lake is part of the Otter Tail River watershed. The immediate watershed is composed of hardwood forest. The maximum depth is 61 feet; however, 49% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 11.3 to 17.0 feet. The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Possession of a valid state park permit is needed to utilize the access. A private residence is located on the island in the northeastern part of the lake. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along the entire lakeshore. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A special trapnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Muskellunge population. A total of 43 Muskellunge were sampled. Muskellunge ranged in length from 32.8 to 47.8 inches with an average length of 40.3 inches. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Beers Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, May 6, 2023.

All Minnesota stockings · every Minnesota lake with a page · state CSV · this lake on DNR LakeFinder