Lake Osakis Fishing
Todd County and Douglas County, 6,389 acres, 73 feet deep.
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Lake Osakis, the basics
Count on 6,389 acres of water at Lake Osakis, a lake in Todd County and Douglas County. The DNR depth record tops out at 73 feet, with an average of 20 feet. Roughly 53% of the water (3,389 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Osakis sits about 4 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the Glenwood area fisheries office.
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The DNR access layer lists 3 public water accesses. DNR crews completed a standard survey on August 15, 2022. Walleye came in at 6.17 per gill net, within the normal range for similar lakes (4.0-9.6). Ice goes out around April 19 in a typical year (429 records).
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Figures are from the August 15, 2022 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 74 | 6.17 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.45 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.13 | 0.3-0.9 | 4.11 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 64 | 5.33 | 3.0-7.9 | 2.89 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.27 | 3.72 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 239 | 19.92 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.07 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.1-0.2 | |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 38 | 3.17 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.26 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 27 | 1.8 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.36 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 74 | 6.17 | 0.21 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 173 | 11.53 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.07 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.3-1.2 | 0.68 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.51 | 0.3-0.7 |
Gill net results from Lake Osakis
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Lake Osakis
“Lake Osakis (6,389 acres) is a nutrient-rich, highly productive basin located in both Douglas and Todd counties.”
“Due to high nutrient levels, water quality can be seasonally impaired with periodic algal blooms and low water clarity (<3.5 feet).”
“Lake Osakis supports a diverse fish community and robust fishery in part due to a variety of fish habitats that include large, expansive bulrush beds, mid-lake flats, and rocky bars and shorelines.”
“Multiple public accesses are available, including a fishing pier located at Battle Point Park.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Lake Osakis (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Lake Osakis by boat
- Osakis Lake (S) Access2 ramps, 26 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Osakis Lake (NW) Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Osakis Lake, Battle Point Access1 ramp, 24 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Todd County
Fishing piers and shore sites on Lake Osakis
- Lake Osakis Fishing Pierfishing pier, Todd County, Osakis Lake, Battle Point Public Water Access Site
- Osakis Lake (S) Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Osakis
Landings around Lake Osakis on the map
- Maple Lake Access near Long PrairieMaple, 5 miles east
- Guernsey Lake AccessGuernsey, 6 miles southeast
- Little Sauk Lake AccessLittle Sauk, 7 miles southeast
- Smith Lake Access near NelsonSmith, 7 miles southwest
- Cedar Lake, Hwy 71 AccessCedar, 9 miles southeast
- Long Prairie River, Reynolds Township AccessLong Prairie River, 10 miles northeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Lake Osakis
The clarity record for Lake Osakis holds 6 Secchi readings going back to 2006.
The DNR record shows Lake Osakis opening as early as March 8, 2024 and as late as May 14, 1950.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake Osakis level reading
The DNR lake level record for Lake Osakis is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species the DNR has recorded in Lake Osakis
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Lake Osakis list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Lake Osakis
For the species listed here, Lake Osakis follows its own regulations instead of statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Minimum size limit 15". | |
| Sunfish | Daily limit 10. | Including connected Little Osakis Lake |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
The pike and bass rows shown are the North-central Zone rows, the zone Lake Osakis falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lake Osakis record catches
| Species | Weight | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Bullhead | 3 lb 10 oz | 2002-08-05 | certified weight |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out. All records.
Lake Osakis next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Osakis | 6,389 | 73 | 3 | 6.17 | |
| Little Osakis Lake | 4 miles northeast | 114 | 43 | 0 | 1 |
| Maple Lake, Todd County | 5 miles east | 388 | 23 | 1 | 1.83 |
| Guernsey Lake | 6 miles southeast | 121 | 19 | 1 | 8 |
| Little Sauk Lake | 7 miles southeast | 277 | 29 | 1 | 6.6 |
| Smith Lake, Douglas County | 8 miles southwest | 666 | 30 | 1 | 3 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Lake Osakis, up close
Lakes worth a look near Lake Osakis
- Little Osakis Lake4 miles northeast
- Maple Lake, Todd County5 miles east
- Guernsey Lake6 miles southeast
- Little Sauk Lake7 miles southeast
- Smith Lake, Douglas County8 miles southwest
Tackle stops on the way to Lake Osakis
- Pauls Pump & Pantry Picadilly Pizza & Subsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Osakis, 3 miles
- Long Prairie Fleet Supplyfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Long Prairie, 12 miles
- Spruce Center Baitbait and tackle shop, Miltona, 13 miles
- Chrisopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Douglas, 13 miles
- Christopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Alexandria, 13 miles
- Fletcher's Baitbait and tackle shop, Sauk Centre, 14 miles
Overnight bases for Lake Osakis
- Osakis4 miles
- West Union7 miles
- Nelson8 miles
Counties surrounding Lake Osakis
- Todd Countyseat: Long Prairie
- Douglas Countyseat: Alexandria
Piscifun reels to pack for Lake Osakis
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Reader questions on Lake Osakis
How far is Lake Osakis from a city?
It lies in Todd County and Douglas County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 4 miles from Osakis.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Lake Osakis?
6,389 acres, 73 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Lake Osakis?
There are 3 public accesses; Osakis Lake (S) Access is the largest.
Does Lake Osakis have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How recent is the Lake Osakis survey?
Most recently on August 15, 2022 (standard survey). walleye ran 6.17 per gill net.
Does Lake Osakis have special regulations?
Walleye: Minimum size limit 15".; Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Is a trout stamp needed on Lake Osakis?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the water clarity of Lake Osakis?
Median ice-out is April 19; the last recorded ice-out was April 14, 2026.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Lake Osakis?
Pauls Pump & Pantry Picadilly Pizza & Subs is nearest at 3 miles.
Head for Lake Osakis
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.