Lake Osakis

Lake Osakis

Size
6,336ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Lake Osakis
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Crappie
Crappie
Perch
Perch
Bluegill
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Walleye
Walleye
Northern pike
Northern pike
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Rock bass
Rock bass

Overview

A wonderful multi-species lake. Plenty of walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass. Numerous crappie and bluegill. Good mix of weeds and structure. One of the state's best and most popular lakes. Tops for ice fishing.

Lake Osakis Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

  • Walleye: Minimum size limit 15”.

Location: Including connected Little Osakis Lake

  • Sunfish: Daily limit 10.

Features

Lake Osakis is a large, well-known body of water that offers a variety of recreational activities in addition to fishing. Many resorts and businesses cater to both anglers and family vacationers. The lake is only a short drive from Interstate 94, and access to the lake is easily available through the many resorts and public landings. Osakis has long stretches of bulrush along its shoreline. It is best known for producing slab bluegill, excellent numbers of walleye and big bullhead. Osakis is locally called “The Mother Walleye Lake” as a result of a walleye spawn-taking station on Buss Creek.

Forage

Yellow perch, white sucker, cisco, shiners, darters, logperch and juvenile panfish contribute to a diverse forage base. Yellow perch are heavily utilized by gamefish. A small cisco population provides a deep-water forage that contributes to the northern pike and walleye fisheries. Cisco can experience summerkills.

Seasonal Movements

During spring, walleye seek the gravel shoals, large points and wind-swept shorelines for spawning. In addition, walleye have been observed in Curtis Creek, Boss Creek and near the dam by the Sauk Creek outlet. Northern pike move into Faille Creek, as well as the shallower spawning areas of Millers, Petersons, and Town bays. The Faille Creek area will also a movement of walleye during fall. Fish have also been noted moving in and out of Little Osakis Lake. Osakis has recently seen a good weedline bite for walleye during mid-summer in depths of 7 to 10 feet.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
11.5333
0Statewide Range74.0278

Lake Osakis Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20189
Crappie
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.8
0Statewide Range10.4166

Lake Osakis Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Largemouth bass
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
16.5
0Statewide Range166.4366

Lake Osakis Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Northern pike
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
5.3333
0Statewide Range19.75

Lake Osakis Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Perch
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
19.9167
0Statewide Range43.5833

Lake Osakis Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Pumpkinseed
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
2.8
0Statewide Range8.4166

Lake Osakis Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Rock bass
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.8333
0Statewide Range6.5668

Lake Osakis Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Smallmouth bass
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.8333
0Statewide Range3.4167

Lake Osakis Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202219
201818
Walleye
fish
9-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6.1667
0Statewide Range16.9168

Lake Osakis Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Aug
2022
Aug