Hoffman Lake

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

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 56162700

DNR records show 7 stocking entries at Hoffman Lake since 2022, most recently black crappie adults in 2023 (200 fish).

• Hoffman Lake has 7 DNR stocking records across 2 years (2022-2023): black crappie (2), bluegill sunfish (2), largemouth bass (2), walleye (1).
• The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 625 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 20 ft; surface area 157 acres, 150 littoral acres, 2.3 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 11.5 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: largemouth bass.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: May 31, 2019 (targeted survey).
• Otter Tail County, nearest town Vergas; DNR lake number (DOW) 56162700.

Stocking history

¹ fish purchased and stocked by private citizens and sporting groups.

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2019

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.

Hoffman Lake is a 150-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County approximately four miles south of Vergas, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 20 feet; however, the majority of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. Secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.5 to 12.7 feet. The shoreline is moderately developed with homes and cottages. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southeast shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice) is prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass Population. Catch and length data indicate that a balanced bass population exists. Bass ranged in length from 7.7 to 18.0 inches with an average length and weight of 13.4 inches and 1.5 pounds. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass attain an average length of 13.5 inches at five years of age. 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 and 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. Hoffman Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive 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 31, 2019.

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