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West Leaf Lake

Leaf Lake, Minnesota — Otter Tail County.

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697Surface acres
1Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 120020517).

Location & fast facts

Where West Leaf Lake is in Minnesota

The red circle marks West Leaf Lake.

Fast facts

About West Leaf Lake

  • County: Otter Tail
  • Town: Leaf Lake
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 146 mi from Minneapolis and 163 mi from Duluth, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.

Fishing in Minnesota

Official Minnesota DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 1 public trailer launch listed (see access)
  • Fishing. Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass and Black crappie
  • Camping. 3 campgrounds within 15 mi (list)

Watch for

  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.
  • Cold water. Water stays cold well into late spring and turns cold again in fall. Wear a life jacket when paddling in the shoulder seasons.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official lake survey (Minnesota DNR)

55 ftMaximum depth
700Acres (state figure)

Fish species found in Minnesota DNR lake surveys: Black bullhead, Black crappie, Bluegill, Bowfin (dogfish), Brown bullhead, Common carp, Green sunfish, Hybrid sunfish, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock bass, Shorthead redhorse, Tullibee (cisco), Walleye, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Yellow perch.

Average depth not published.

Shallow (littoral) area: 256 of 700 acres

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources LakeFinder record for West Leaf Lake (DOW 56011400), with lake survey reports, depth maps and stocking history. Acreage here can differ slightly from our mapped outline.

Lake map

West Leaf Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

West Leaf Lake Public Water Access Site (Boat launch)11 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launch
  1. 1West Leaf Lake Public Water Access Site
    Boat launch · Leaf Lake

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 120020517), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near West Leaf Lake

We found 3 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of West Leaf Lake. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

All campgrounds & RV parks in Minnesota

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (46.4104, -95.4841). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for West Leaf Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at West Leaf Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    1 public access site listed, 1 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    West Leaf Lake Public Water Access SiteLeaf LakeDNR Division of Parks and TrailsTrailer launch · Concrete slab ramp · dock6 trailer—Fishing, Boating46.4098, -95.4723

    Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about West Leaf Lake

    How big is West Leaf Lake?

    West Leaf Lake covers about 697 acres in Leaf Lake, Minnesota (Otter Tail County).

    How deep is West Leaf Lake?

    The maximum recorded depth is 55 feet, according to the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder.

    What fish are in West Leaf Lake?

    Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lists Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Tullibee (cisco), Pumpkinseed, Rock bass and Black bullhead and 8 more.

    Is there a public boat launch on West Leaf Lake?

    Yes. 1 public trailer launch is listed: West Leaf Lake Public Water Access Site. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Are there campgrounds near West Leaf Lake?

    Yes. We list 3 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles.

    What towns are on West Leaf Lake?

    West Leaf Lake touches Leaf Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know West Leaf Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Minnesota lakes & ponds · All waters in Leaf Lake