Franklin Lake
Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Pelican Rapids. DNR lake ID 56075900.
Franklin Lake is a 1,088-acre lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Pelican Rapids. Its deepest point reaches 48 ft, and about 69% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 12.4 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the mesotrophic nutrient class. The DNR lists it for zebra mussel. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 56075900 |
|---|---|
| County | Otter Tail County, near Pelican Rapids |
| Surface area | 1,088 acres |
| Maximum depth | 48 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 69% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 12.4 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 17.6 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 4.8 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Mesotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Clearer (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | zebra mussel |
| Public water accesses | 2 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 12.4 ft, phosphorus 17.6 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 4.8 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Franklin Lake rates as mesotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: clearer.
Fishing on Franklin Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2020 (6 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 5.33 | 1.3 to 5.5 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.91 | 0.2 to 0.7 |
| Northern pike | gill | 4.33 | 3.1 to 8.5 |
| Northern pike | trap | 1.36 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 2.44 | 2.5 to 24.2 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.18 | 0.5 to 2.7 |
| Black crappie | gill | 0.67 | 0.5 to 2.7 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.18 | 0.7 to 3.2 |
| Bluegill | gill | 1.11 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 14.82 | 5.6 to 42.3 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 0.22 | 0.3 to 1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.91 | 0.3 to 1.1 |
| Smallmouth bass | gill | 0.11 | 0.2 to 1.0 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 1.11 | 0.7 to 6.5 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 0.11 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.82 | 1.7 to 8.2 |
| Rock bass | gill | 0.33 | 0.3 to 2.0 |
| Rock bass | trap | 0.64 | 0.6 to 2.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.11 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 5.55 | n/a |
Walleye catch was within the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Walleye 26.0 in (2020), Largemouth bass 18.0 in (2020), Northern pike 27.0 in (2020), Smallmouth bass 17.0 in (2020).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Green sunfish, Tullibee (cisco), Bowfin, Common carp, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
- Sunfish daily limit 5. (DNR Quality Sunfish Initiative)
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
On the Minnesota DNR infested waters list for: zebra mussel (listed 2016).
Public boat access
- Franklin Lake (N): 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 16 trailer spaces. 8 mi NE of downtown Pelican Rapids on US Hwy 59, then 1 mi S on Twp Rd to NW shore. Directions
- Franklin Lake (NE): 1 gravel launch ramp, 4 trailer spaces. Approximately 1 mi N of Pelican Rapids on US Hwy 59, then 4.25 mi E on Cnty Rd 4, then 4 mi N on Cnty Rd 31 to E shore. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Lizzie (north portion) Lake 1.8 mi, Otter Tail County
- Lizzie Lake 2.2 mi, Otter Tail County
- Crystal Lake 2.2 mi, Otter Tail County
- Fish Lake 2.9 mi, Otter Tail County
- Otter Lake 3.3 mi, Otter Tail County
- Bass Lake 3.4 mi, Otter Tail County
- Sand Lake 4.0 mi, Otter Tail County
- North Lida Lake 4.4 mi, Otter Tail County
Questions about Franklin Lake
How deep is Franklin Lake?
Franklin Lake reaches a maximum depth of 48 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 69% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Franklin Lake?
Franklin Lake covers about 1,088 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
How clear is Franklin Lake?
Summer water clarity on Franklin Lake averages 12.4 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is mesotrophic.
Does Franklin Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
The Minnesota DNR infested waters list includes Franklin Lake for zebra mussel.
What fish are in Franklin Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass in Franklin Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2020.
Where is the public boat access on Franklin Lake?
Franklin Lake has 2 public water access sites on DNR record: Franklin Lake (N); Franklin Lake (NE).
How is the walleye population on Franklin Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1990 to 2020, walleye numbers on Franklin Lake ran mostly above the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Franklin Lake?
Homes on Franklin Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Franklin Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Franklin Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 69% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 12.4 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Franklin Lake?
Yes. Sunfish daily limit 5.
Ask us about Franklin Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Otter Tail County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2020), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.