West Lost Lake

West Lost Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at West Lost Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 16 ft puts West Lost Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 795 acres, West Lost Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 12.5 miles of shoreline. West Lost Lake ranks 81 of 97 in Otter Tail County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

Zebra mussels have been documented at West Lost Lake, which alters the filter-feeding balance and can paradoxically increase water clarity while disrupting the food web. The fishery is bass-led, with 8 documented species across the lake's records. A documented public access point at West Lost Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.