• Water recreation is big in Otter Tail County.boy on beach lake michigan great lake image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
  
  The lake life is part and parcel to west-central Minnesota's Otter Tail County. While it's just one of 87 counties in the state, it has more than its share of water, as it's home to 10 percent of the state's 10,000 lakes. Otter Tail County supports a strong resort industry, and many people who otherwise don't have lake access stay at a resort and go boating, fishing or swimming, or just relax on the beach for a week or two.
  
  

East Silent Resort

• Some people travel to East Silent Resort to go fishing. Others travel there to take in the nature that abounds across the resort's 40 acres. Others just sit outside their cabins, relaxing and watching the world go by. The resort, located on East Silent Lake in Otter Tail County, features 11 cabins with one to three bedrooms apiece. All of the cabins include a full kitchen and a deck that overlooks the lake, as well as access to high-speed, wireless Internet. The resort's lodge includes a snack bar and gift shop, as well as board games and books. Water-based recreation is popular at East Silent, and people swim, go for boat rides, or jump on the resort's water trampoline. For people who want to explore on land, the resort's wooded acres afford the opportunity to see animals such as bald eagles, deer and wild turkeys.
  
  East Silent Resort
  30424 410th St.
  Dent, MN 56528
  800-242-6904
  eastsilentresort.com
  
  

Barky's Resort

• Spanning nearly 14,000 acres, Otter Tail Lake is the largest and best fishing lake in Otter Tail County. Fishing is one of the main reasons people visit Barky's Resort, which has three rental fishing boats for guests who don't have their own. There are 10 cabins at the resort, each of which has two or three bedrooms, full kitchens, and access to high-speed, wireless Internet. Three of the cabins are part of duplexes and have common doors, so they are especially good for large groups. There is a picnic table, charcoal grill and fire ring at each cabin. The resort's game room includes a pool table and dart boards, while those who prefer to play in the water can do so at the resort's sandy beach. There also is a slide in the water, and guests have free access to the resort's canoe, paddle boat and kayaks.
  
  Barky's Resort
  28484 County Highway 145
  Battle Lake, MN 56515
  218-495-3444
  barkysresort.com
  
  

Rush Lake Resort

• Rush Lake is a good fishing lake, and Rush Lake Resort's 250-foot dock means people hardly have to leave shore to get in on the good fishing. Swimmers also enjoy the resort's sandy beach, and they can really spread out because the water is just 6 feet deep 300 feet from the resort's shoreline. The resort features 10 cabins with one to three bedrooms apiece. Some cabins have large windows that look out over the 5,330-acre Rush Lake. All cabins have full kitchens and bathrooms, and they come standard with grills and lawn furniture. Guests can use the resort's canoes, kayaks and paddle boats without charge, and there also are courts for those who want to play basketball, horseshoes or shuffleboard.
  
  Rush Lake Resort
  35934 Rush Lake Loop
  Ottertail, MN 56571
  218-346-6003
  rushlakeresort.com