Devil'S Lake
Otter Tail County, MinnesotaOligotrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric, Devil'S Lake pulls an A: clarity at 15.0 ft and 13 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Minnesota. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
A TSI value of 40 puts Devil'S Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. The lake's 67 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Minnesota — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. At 355 acres, Devil'S Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 4.6 miles of shoreline. Among the 97 graded lakes in Otter Tail County, Devil'S Lake ranks 10 — in the top quartile locally.
Devil'S Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 11 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Devil'S Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 15 ft down. Phosphorus level: 13 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 15 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 13 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 67 ft |
| Surface Area | 355.3 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 59% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Devil'S Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Devil'S Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Devil'S Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.022 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.2 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 97 lakes in Otter Tail County
Nearby Lakes in Otter Tail County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Devil'S Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
6 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2013-06-17 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 52.32 | 0.16 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 13.12 | 0.51 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 8.26 | 0.09 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 5.90 | 0.21 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 4.54 | 0.71 lb |
| Northern Pike | 4.31 | 2.46 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Yellow Bass
Yellow Perch
Pumpkinseed
From the 2013-06-17 survey
Devils Lake is a 314-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northeastern Otter Tail County approximately four miles northwest of Perham, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. There are no navigable inlets or outlets. The maximum depth…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Devil'S Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DevilsFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — DevilsFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — DevilsPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-10-10
Monitoring stations: 2