Ethel Lake is a 194-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County, approximately seven miles northeast Battle Lake, MN. The maximum depth of the lake is 64 feet and 35% of the lake is fifteen feet or less in depth. The shoreline length is 3.2 miles. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The secchi disk reading at the time of this survey was 14.5 feet. The secchi disk reading, which is a standard measure of water clarity, has ranged from 8.0 to 23.0 feet in previous surveys. A public access is located at the northeast end of the lake off of County Road 5. Parking at the access is very limited. Shoreline development has increased substantially in recent years. Increased lakeshore development has been demonstrated to negatively impact water quality by increasing nutrient levels and shoreline erosion. This can result in increased plankton/algae blooms, aquatic plant growth, and suspended sediments, all of which lead to decreased water clarity. The impacts of shoreline development on water quality can be minimized if the best management practices (BMP's) are followed. Information concerning shoreline BMP's can be obtained by contacting any county extension office. Emergent aquatic plants, mainly hardstem bulrush and cattails, are located in scattered stands around the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and common cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their important ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Ethel Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present. Suitable spawning habitat for these species exists throughout the lake. Walleye fingerlings are stocked by the DNR on a biennial basis. Age data indicate that recruitment of walleye in both stocked and non-stocked years is limited. Predation by the high density northern pike and largemouth bass populations is most likely limiting survival of walleye fingerlings. Northern pike abundance increased dramatically in the late 1990's in response to high water levels in the lake. The high water levels have increased the amount of suitable spawning habitat available to northern pike. Northern pike size structure has consistently been poor. Northern pike ranged in length from 9.7 to 28.7 inches with a mean length and weight of 16.8 inches and 1.1 pounds. Northern pike growth rates continue to be slow; pike attain an average length of 19.2 inches at four years of age. An abundant largemouth bass population exists. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 8.4 to 16.2 inches. Age data from recent assessments indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass attain an average length of 10.1 inches at four years of age. Bluegill abundance has historically been high; however, size structure remains good. Sixty-one percent of the bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.1 inches six years of age. Anglers can 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.