Stuart Lake is a 699-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately two miles east of Clitherall, MN. Stuart Lake is connected to East Battle Lake via a non-navigable outlet along the north shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 49 feet; however, 58% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2006 lake survey was 13.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 7.8 to 24.0 feet. The MN DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Stuart Lake is included in lake class 25; other area lakes in this same classification include Beers, Jolly Ann, Leek, West Olaf, and Sewell . A majority of the shoreline of Stuart Lake is developed with homes and cabins. A DNR owned public water access is located along the north shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Stands of hardstem bulrush, common cattail, and wild rice are scattered throughout the lake. Emergent 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 also provide critical spawning habitat for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Stuart 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, black crappie, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. Catch data indicate that a high-density northern pike population exists. Age and length data indicate that pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern pike size structure is poor with an anverage length and weight of 15.9 inches and 0.9 pounds. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that a balanced largemouth bass population exists. Bass ranged in length from 3.4 to 19.5 inches with an average length and weight of 10.2 inches and 0.7 pounds. Data from a spring trapnetting assessment indicate that black crappies are very abundant. Age and length data indicate that reproduction is consistently good. Twenty-four percent of the black crappie sample was 10.0 inches or greater in length. A 10-inch minimum size limit for black crappies was implemented in 2005. The intent of the regulation is to improve the size structure of the black crappie population. Catch data indicate that bluegill are also very abundant. The test-net catch rate has consistently exceeded the expectedl range for similar lakes. Age and length data indicate that bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Fifty-seven percent of the bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. 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 more abundant smaller fish. 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 more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.