Norway Lake (Otter Tail County)

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

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 56056900

DNR records show 9 stocking entries at Norway Lake (Otter Tail County) since 2016, most recently walleye fingerlings in 2024 (558 fish).

• Norway Lake (Otter Tail County) has 9 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2016-2024): walleye (9).
• The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 5,983 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 19 ft; surface area 485 acres, 484 littoral acres, 6.7 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Fish species DNR lists here: black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: April 5, 2024 (targeted survey).
• Otter Tail County, nearest town Underwood; DNR lake number (DOW) 56056900.

Stocking history

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2024

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.

Norway Lake is a 384-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles north of Underwood, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 19 feet; however, 63% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The majority of the shoreline of Norway Lake remains undeveloped. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of County Road 35 along the east shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the shoreline of the entire lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and can 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. 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 special "conservation regulation" is in effect for Norway Lake. The regulations are: a protected slot length limit for Largemouth Bass - 14.0" to 20.0" with one over 20.0 inches in possession. A reduced bag limit for Sunfish of 5 fish. A reduced bag limit for Black Crappie of 5 fish with a 10.0-inch minimum length limit. Statewide limits apply for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. Norway Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant game-fish species. The abundance of these species can be attributed to the plethora of suitable spawning habitat that is available. Largemouth Bass are abundant and the population is well balanced. Bass ranged in length from 2.5 to 20.4 inches with an average length of 17.1 inches. Bass attain an average length of 15.7 inches at five years of age. Black Crappies are moderately abundant. The 2021 year class is the strong and should provide good crappie angling for several years. Fifty percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 11.4 inches at five years of age. Northern Pike are present in a moderate density and ranged in size…

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, April 5, 2024.

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