Heilberger (Otter Tail)

Heilberger Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota

This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version

Heilberger Lake is a 221-acre natural lake located in Otter Tail County in west-central Minnesota near the small community of Erhard, part of the state's renowned lake country that features thousands of glacially-formed lakes scattered across the prairie-forest transition zone. With a maximum depth of 47 feet and 4.39 miles of shoreline, this mid-sized lake offers a classic Minnesota fishing experience in a relatively undeveloped setting that has retained much of its natural character. The lake sits within Otter Tail County, which derives its name from the Otter Tail River and boasts over 1,000 lakes, making it one of Minnesota's premier destinations for anglers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking the quintessential north woods lake experience. Heilberger Lake's littoral zone encompasses 97 acres of shallow, productive water that provides critical habitat for aquatic vegetation, spawning fish, and the diverse food web that supports the lake's sport fish populations. The lake is situated in the Alexandria Lakes Area region, where rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and agricultural lands create a scenic backdrop for year-round recreational pursuits, with easy access from nearby Highway 210 and the town of Erhard, located approximately 20 miles northeast of Fergus Falls, the Otter Tail County seat.

Heilberger Lake is home to healthy populations of black crappie and largemouth bass, providing anglers with excellent opportunities for panfish and bass fishing throughout the open water season and during Minnesota's popular ice fishing season. Black crappie, prized for their delicious table fare and sporting qualities, thrive in the lake's moderate depths and abundant structure, with spring and early summer offering prime fishing as crappies move shallow to spawn around brushy cover, submerged timber, and weed edges. Largemouth bass utilize the extensive littoral zone and aquatic vegetation for cover, ambushing prey along weed lines, lily pad fields, and fallen timber, with topwater action heating up during summer mornings and evenings when bass aggressively strike surface lures. The Minnesota Department of Health maintains fish consumption advisories for many Minnesota lakes including Heilberger Lake, and anglers should consult current guidance to make informed decisions about eating their catch, particularly regarding mercury levels in fish tissue. The lake's relatively intimate size creates an ideal environment for small boat anglers, kayakers, and canoeists who appreciate quieter waters without the heavy recreational traffic found on larger, more developed lakes in the region. Otter Tail County's abundant public land, including nearby state parks, wildlife management areas, and the Maplewood State Park just miles away, provides additional outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife observation, while the charming small towns of Erhard, Battle Lake, and Perham offer essential services, lodging, and the warm hospitality that characterizes rural Minnesota lake communities.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers

HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers

HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers

The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail."