"One of my favorite things about Minnesota is its large number of, well, large attractions. Lucky for me, one of Iowa’s neighboring states is home to dozens of “world’s largest” things just waiting to be explored. Recently, I got to know Otto the World’s Largest Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota," the Olio in Iowa says.

"Standing at 15 feet tall and roughly 40 feet long, Otto is a beloved mascot for the city. The statue overlooks a small lake in Fergus Falls’ Grotto Park, and is a popular destination for picnics and photos.

"Built in 1972, a group of high school students constructed Otto with the help of their teacher and local artist Steve Jaenisch. The shop class used metal rods and concrete to create the massive mammal in honor of Fergus Falls’ centennial."

"In the county seat of Otter Tail County, the town of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, offers a real otter tale: the world’s largest. For more than 50 years, Otto has stood sentry over Grotto Lake, as the beloved mascot of the city," the Atlas Obscura says.

"Like most great works of art, Otto began his life as a high school shop project, the brainchild of shop teacher Tom Willett, who wanted to create something special for Fergus Falls’s centennial in 1972. Unfortunately, the first version of Otto was…an otter disaster. Steve Jaenisch, a metal artist who went on to create a number of sculptures around town, finished the job and made sure Otto would last for generations to come.

"Today, the 40-foot-long otter sculpture stands proudly in Adams Park, overlooking the lake. The quaint city park also includes a ballfield, a playground, and picnic tables, including one that is often placed tantalizingly close to Otto."

"With an icicle hanging from its mouth, it seemed appropriate that Otto the Otter stood guard over the lake at Grotto Park. The world’s largest otter sculpture calls Fergus Falls home," The Walking Tourists says.

"While most may think that summer would be the best time of the year to visit Fergus Falls, most anyone who knows us understands a late-autumn cold front couldn’t keep us from venturing to Minnesota in order to see the world’s largest otter. We’re huge fans of the “world’s largest” attractions and will travel almost anywhere to see them.

Otto stands more than a dozen feet high and is about 40 feet long. The statue – built in 1972 – may be the best community mascot ever, as Fergus Falls is in Otter Tail County’s seat."

"Otto is a 40-foot otter statue in Adams Park, and it's become part of the experience of being a child in this town -- climbing on top to enjoy the view," the CBS News says.

""It's just a quirky piece," said Chris Schuelke, executive director of the Otter Tail County Historical Society, "and it's set next to the lake here, and it's just a beautiful setting."

"It's been the backdrop for picnics, reunions -- even a few weddings. And the guys who were just kids when they built it can now bring their own kids and grandkids."

"Otto the World’s largest Otter lives in the picturesque setting of Grotto Park, right next to Grotto Lake. Fergus Falls is located appropriately enough in Otter Tail County … which seems an odd name for a county … but it could have been worst if named after other parts of an otter’s anatomy!" the hobletsonthego.com says.

"Standing at 15 feet tall and roughly 40 feet long, Otto is a beloved mascot for the city. Otto was constructed in 1972 by a group of high school students aided by their teacher and local artist Steve Jaenisch to celebrate the City’s centennial. Otto is made from metal rods and concrete.

"After snapping a few photos of Otto we noticed a small island on Grotto Lake just a few feet from the shore. On this island was a rather dead-looking tree that a large number of heron and cormorants had decided to use for nests and roosting. It was rather amazing to get close to such a collection of spectacular birds."

"After seeing Big Ole in Alexandria, we had one more stop before we hit the lake. That was Adams Park in Fergus Falls to see the World's Largest Otter," The Big Stuff Project says.

"The otter is 40 feet long and was built to honor Ottertail County, where Fergus Falls is the county seat. The otter is also the high school mascot.

"Tip: When visiting the World's Largest Otter, keep an eye out for roaming gangs of geese. I don't think they will rob you, but they're not afraid to put up a fight. We barely got out alive."

"Fergus Falls is a city in and the county seat of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 14,119 at the 2020 census.

"Fergus Falls is a micropolitan with a diversified economy that includes healthcare, manufacturing, commercial, agricultural, information technology, and utilities. The largest employer is Lake Region Healthcare, an integrated health system with a 108-bed hospital, cancer research center, assisted living community, and multiple clinics." (Wikipedia)