South Ten Mile Lake is located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles southwest of Dalton, MN. South Ten Mile Lake is a 1,411-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake that is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River inlet is located along the north shore while the outlet is located along the south shore. The inlet is navigable by boat through a culvert into North Ten Mile Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. A DNR owned public access is located along the southeast shoreline. The maximum depth of South Ten Mile Lake is 51 feet; however, 42% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2009 survey was 14.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 10.0 feet. Periodic plankton/algae blooms throughout the summer months can influence water clarity in this lake. The east and west shorelines of South Ten Mile Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A total of 90 homes/cottages and one resort were counted during the 2000 lake survey. Shoreline development has recently increased in the southern portion of the lake. Common cattail and hardstem bulrush are prevalent along the shoreline of this bay. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are also located along the south, west, and east shorelines of the main lake basin. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail 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. A cooperative shoreline stabilization project was completed in 1999. The DNR in conjunction with the lake association and private landowners installed rock rip-rap to stabilize several areas of shoreline that were experiencing varying degrees of erosion. South Ten Mile Lake is a popular angling lake. Species most sought after are walleye, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Data from recent lake surveys indicate that these species are abundant and have good size structures. Bowfishing for common carp is also a popular sport on this lake. Walleye is a primary management species in this lake. The test-net catch rate for walleye exceeded the normal range for similar lakes. Walleye abundance has historically been high in South Ten Mile Lake. Walleye ranged in length from 6.8 to 24.4 inches with an average length and weight of 14.4 inches and 1.1 pounds. Walleyes reach an average length of 14.9 inches at four years of age. The bluegill test-net catch rate was within the expected range for similar lakes. The size structure is excellent as 81% of the bluegill sample was at least 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills reach an average length of 7.4 inches at six years of age. Smallmouth bass in the gill net sample ranged in length from 10.4 inches to 17.8 inches with an average length and weight of 14.7 inches and 1.7 pounds. Age data indicate that smallmouth bass reproduction is consistently good. Smallmouth bass reach an average length of 13.0 inches at four years of age. A spring electrofishing assessment was conducted to analyze the largemouth bass population. Data indicate that the largemouth bass population is abundant and has a good size structure. Largmouth bass ranged in length from 12.3 inches to 17.4 inches with an average length and weight of 14.9 inches and 1.8 pounds. Largemouth bass reach an average length of 13.6 inches at four years of age. A 21-inch minimum size limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass was implemented in 2001 and will remain in effect until March 1, 2013. The objective of the regulation is to improve the size structure of the largemouth and smallmouth bass populations. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to 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 more opportunities to catch large fish in the future