Fishing at Diekow Lake, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Diekow Lake stands in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It lies 1,421 feet above sea level. It measures about 51 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The whole outline is near 1.2 miles, and most of it is walkable. Start from Parkers Prairie, 7 miles down the road. The big place round here is Fargo, 82 miles distant. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Diekow Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Otter Tail County include largemouth bass, black crappie, walleye and bluegill. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Diekow Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 7°F to 69°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. Ice clears near mid April and comes back about late November in a typical year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on Diekow Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Lake Meyer sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Diekow Lake.