Fishing Heart Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Look for Heart Lake in the Otter Tail County part of Minnesota. It lies 1,355 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 18 acres — small enough to read in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Otter Tail County list. You are 7.8 miles from Frazee. The big place round here is Fargo, 52 miles distant. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Heart Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Otter Tail County records list largemouth bass, black crappie and walleye among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Heart Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 69°F, the coldest about 5°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. That is the shape of the year on Heart Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Mink Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for Heart Lake.