Mud Lake Fishing in Otter Tail County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Mud Lake falls in Otter Tail County, part of Minnesota. Land around it is lake country bush. It runs to roughly 112 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. For supplies, Perham is 8.5 miles out. After that come Frazee at 11 miles and Pelican Rapids at 16 miles. Within a short drive: Berger Lake out at 0.7 miles, Walde Lake 0.9 miles away, Boos Lake out at 1 mile, Tenter Lake 1.4 miles away and Reames Lake out at 1.4 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Otter Tail County records list largemouth bass, black crappie, walleye and bluegill among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Mud Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 70°F in July and bottom out at 6°F in January. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That shapes the year on Mud Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Berger Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Nothing here settles the position at Mud Lake for certain.