Fergus Falls area fisheries

Fergus Falls area fisheries staff perform management, habitat and oversight work for 250 fishing lakes and 150 miles of rivers and streams in Otter Tail and Wilkin counties.Popular area waters are Otter Tail, Big Pine and North Lida lakes. Area staff also manage portions of the Otter Tail, Pelican and Red rivers.

The Fergus Falls fisheries work area

Where to find us

1509 1st Avenue North 
Fergus Falls, MN 56537 
218-671-7940 
[email protected]
News & notices

What can I catch?

Measuring a walleye's lengthWondering what fish you can catch and when you can catch them? Seasons vary for different fish so use our fishing season listing to find out.

Get started fishing

Fishing rod and reel sitting on a dockWe can help you get started fishing. Check out our tips and links to information on how to fish, filleting fish, frying fish and more.

Fishing opportunities

Area lakes by county

Fishing piers & boat ramps by county

Resources
Lake management planning

Lakes scheduled for 2024

People who want to discuss the individual fisheries listed below must call or email this area fisheries office during February. Your observations and comments will be considered as updates begin on these fisheries lake management plans.

Comments from people interested in the health and quality of Minnesota’s fisheries are a critical part of the DNR’s fisheries lake management planning process. These plans establish fisheries management goals and objectives for each lake and guide the work fisheries biologists do each year.

Clicking lake links below take you to LakeFinder, where you can find various lake specific information, including past fisheries surveys. To submit input or learn more about each lake’s management plan, please contact this area office.

Lake (nearest city)County
Crystal (Pelican Rapids)Otter Tail
Fish (Fergus Falls)Otter Tail
Long (Fergus Falls)Otter Tail

How you can help

Comments about preferred experiences, observations or general concerns about the fishery – rather than suggestions on how DNR might accomplish a specific goal or objective – are the most helpful kinds of input.

Some questions to consider when formulating input could include:

  • What kind of fishing experience are you looking for?
  • Are there fish habitat concerns you’d like to share?
  • What species of fish are most important to you?
  • Do you like catching fewer big fish or a lot of smaller fish?

Individuals as well as representatives of lake associations, outdoors groups, conservations organizations and local units of government are encouraged to comment.

Talk with us

Fergus Falls staff

Slide text left for phones & emails

Name
Position
Phone
Email
Jim WoltersArea supervisor218-671-7954[email protected]
Luke SchalekampAssistant area supervisor218-671-7956[email protected]
Steve KubenyFisheries specialist218-671-7960[email protected]
Ben JohnsonFisheries technician218-671-7957[email protected]
Ethan Rasset FisheriesFisheries specialist218-671-7973[email protected]
Marnie FranzeOffice administrative specialist218-671-7940[email protected]

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