Lake information report

Name: DEER

Nearest Town: BATTLE LAKE, MN Primary County: Otter Tail Survey Date: 08/23/2004 Inventory Number: 56-0298-00

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Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled up to the 2004 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species Sampled for All Gear for the 2004 Survey Year

Fish Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

Fish Consumption Guidelines

No fish consumption guidelines are available for this lake. For more information, see the "Fish Consumption Advice" pages at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Status of the Fishery (as of 08/23/2004)

Deer Lake is 457 acres in size and is located in central Otter Tail County approximately four miles north of Battle Lake, MN. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 26 feet; however, 65% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. There is a state owned concrete public access on the southeast corner of the lake off of County Road 83. The Otter Tail River enters the lake near the public access, flowing from Otter Tail Lake about 1.5 miles upstream. A narrow, navigable straight separates Deer Lake from East Lost Lake. The secchi depth reading during the survey was 9.5 feet, indicating good water clarity. Landowners on the lake can protect water quality by properly maintaining septic systems, maintaining a vegetated buffer along the lakeshore, and by not using fertilizers that contain phosphorous. The majority of the shoreline of Deer Lake has been extensively developed. The development is composed primarily of homes and cabins. There are a couple of resorts located on Deer Lake. There are remnant stands of hardstem bulrush and wild rice in shallow areas of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and wild rice provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning area for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. Deer Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Largemouth bass, walleye, and bluegill are the dominant species in the fish community. During the past five surveys, bluegill trap net catch rates have exceeded the upper limit of the normal range for class 34 lakes. Bluegill size structure has decreased; only 8% of the bluegills were > 7.0 inches. Bluegill growth is slow with an average length of 6.3 inches at six years of age. There are also moderate numbers of pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish present in Deer Lake. Historically, northern pike test-net catch rates have not varied much and have always been with the normal range for class 34 lakes. Northern pike size structure is poor with an average length and weight at capture of 18.0 inches and 1.1 pounds. Present and past age data has shown that the northern pike population is composed of predominately young fish (> 5 years of age). It is speculated that overexploitation and/or high natural mortality are the causes of this young population. Pike reached an average length of 19.0 inches at age-IV, which is slightly slower than the area average. The walleye test-net catch rate exceeded the upper limit of the normal range for class 34 lakes. This was the highest recorded catch rate. Walleye ranged in length from 9.1 to 28.4 inches with an average length and weight at capture of 15.6 inches and 1.4 pounds. The 2001 and 2002 year classes appear to be strong and should provide consistently good walleye angling for several years. Walleye attain an average length of 14.8 inches at four years of age. Data from past and recent test-netting assessments indicate that year classes have developed from natural reproduction. Walleye probably do not successfully spawn in Deer Lake itself, as it lacks gravel and cobble substrates. It is unclear whether naturally reproduced fish in Deer Lake are spawned in the river above the lake, or are migrants from the large walleye population in Otter Tail Lake. Past surveys have shown a correlation between strong Otter Tail and Deer Lake walleye year classes. Years of stocking in Deer Lake have also corresponded to good year classes, which suggests that stocking may be supplementing natural reproduction. The DNR does not stock any fish species other than walleye in Deer Lake. The other species present are able to sustain their levels at or above management goals without stocking. This is an indication of the excellent water quality and fish habitat that is available. To maintain the excellent fishing that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the water quality and fish habitat. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 1509 1st Ave N Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Phone: (218) 739-7576 Internet: Fergus Falls Fisheries E-Mail: FergusFalls.Fisheries@state.mn.us	Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore 660 Olive Street St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757 To order, use C1239 for the map-id.
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us	Turn in Poachers (TIP):     Toll-free: (800) 652-9093