Stalker Lake is a 1,280-acre lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately seven miles southeast of Underwood, MN. Stalker Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River outlet is located along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest interspersed with areas of agricultural land. Stalker Lake has a maximum depth of 95 feet; however, 45% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The morphometry of Stalker Lake is unique; numerous humps and bars exist throughout the lake. The secchi disk reading during the 2006 lake survey was 7.2 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 6.5 to 7.9 feet. The MN DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Stalker Lake is included in lake class 27; other area lakes in this same classification include West Battle, Eagle, South Ten Mile, Crystal, and Little McDonald. The shoreline of Stalker Lake is moderately developed. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southwest shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice are prevalent throughout Stalker Lake. Emergent aquatic plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. Stalker Lake is a popular angling lake. Recent lake survey data indicate that Stalker Lake has good populations of walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and black crappie. Size distributions for these species appear to be good also. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of quality spawning habitat that is available. Walleye is a primary management species in Stalker Lake. The walleye test-net catch rate was equivalent to the upper limit of the normal range for class 27 lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 8.0 to 28.0 inches with an average length and weight of 15.9 inches and 1.6 pounds. Age data from recent assessments indicate that the strongest year classes consistently correspond to years when walleye fingerlings are stocked. Catch data indicate that biennial fingerling stocking can maintain a stable walleye population in Stalker Lake. The northern pike test-net catch rate was within the expected range for similar lakes. Age and length data from recent assessments indicate that northern pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 9.1 to 37.0 inches with an average length and weight of 20.1 inches and 1.9 pounds. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that a balanced largemouth bass population exists with a moderate level of reproduction. Bass ranged in length from 9.0 to 17.3 inches with an average length and weight of 13.5 inches and 1.4 pounds. Data from recent assessments indicate that the black crappie population is abundant and has a good size structure. Fifty-eight percent of the black crappie gill net sample was 10.0 inches or greater in length. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Stalker Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium and large size fish while allowing the harvest of 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.