Ocheda Lake Fishing
Nobles County, 1,691 acres, 5 feet deep.
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Key facts on Ocheda Lake
Ocheda Lake covers 1,691 acres of Nobles County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 5 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 1,691 acres, roughly 100% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Worthington, about 4 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Windom oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and channel catfish. 2 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the population assessment took place on June 1, 2009. The DNR counted 2 walleye per gill net, below its normal range of 3.2-15.3.
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Catch per net set from the population assessment dated June 1, 2009, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 2 | 2 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.92 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.4 | 0.3-1.7 | 2.26 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 14 | 14 | 1.2-7.8 | 2.22 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 17 | 3.4 | 3.63 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 18 | 18 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.27 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 11 | 2.2 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.26 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.8 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.55 | 0.2-0.5 |
| White crappie | Standard trap nets | 9 | 1.8 | 0.5-15.9 | 0.42 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black bullhead | Standard gill nets | 63 | 63 | 4.6-83.0 | 0.18 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Black bullhead | Standard trap nets | 72 | 14.4 | 1.3-78.1 | 0.23 | 0.2-0.6 |
Fish per species in the Ocheda Lake gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Ocheda Lake
“Ocheda is a 1,700-acre lake located 2 miles south of Worthington in Nobles County.”
“The lake has a maximum depth of 5 feet, 21 miles of shoreline, and is a class 41 lake.”
“The lake is managed primarily for northern pike while yellow perch and walleye are managed secondarily.”
“Local riparian owners and the Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District met in 2010 to develop a plan that would improve the water quality in Ocheda Lake.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Ocheda Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Ocheda Lake
- Ocheda Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, Nobles County
- Ocheda Lake (W) Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Nobles County
Bays and basins of Ocheda Lake
- Ocheda (East Basin)DNR 53002403
- Ocheda (Middle Bay)DNR 53002402
- Ocheda (West Basin)DNR 53002401
Boat launches serving Ocheda Lake
- Okabena Lake (S) AccessOkabena, 3 miles northwest
- Okabena Lake (E) AccessOkabena, 3 miles north
- Okabena Lake (W) AccessOkabena, 4 miles northwest
- Okabena Lake (N) AccessOkabena, 4 miles north
- Bella Lake AccessBella, 5 miles south
- Indian Lake Access near Round LakeIndian, 6 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Ocheda Lake gets
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Ocheda Lake
This Ocheda Lake series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum ASSUMED).
Species in the Ocheda Lake surveys
LakeFinder builds the Ocheda Lake list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Ocheda Lake
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Ocheda 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 (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | 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 |
Pike and bass rows follow the Southern Zone, where the map puts Ocheda Lake; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Ocheda Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocheda Lake | 1,691 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
| Okabena Lake | 3 miles north | 776 | 16 | 4 | 16.67 |
| Bella Lake | 4 miles south | 180 | 14 | 1 | 3.67 |
| Indian Lake, Nobles County | 6 miles southeast | 197 | 6 | 1 | 3.33 |
| Round Lake, Jackson County | 8 miles east | 930 | 9 | 2 | 4 |
| East Graham Lake | 17 miles north | 511 | 8 | 1 | 4.67 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Ocheda Lake
Neighbor lakes around Ocheda Lake
- Okabena Lake3 miles north
- Bella Lake4 miles south
- Indian Lake, Nobles County6 miles southeast
- Round Lake, Jackson County8 miles east
- East Graham Lake17 miles north
Bait and tackle closest to Ocheda Lake
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Worthington, 4 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Ocheda Lake
- Worthington4 miles
- Round Lake6 miles
- Bigelow7 miles
Ocheda Lake, county lines
- Nobles Countyseat: Worthington
Piscifun gear suited to Ocheda Lake
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Ocheda Lake questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Ocheda Lake?
Find it in Nobles County, managed from the Windom fisheries office, about 4 miles from Worthington.
How deep is Ocheda Lake?
Roughly 1,691 acres, 5 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Ocheda Lake?
Try Ocheda Lake (W) Access, one of 2 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Ocheda Lake?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and white crappie.
How does Ocheda Lake compare in DNR nets?
The population assessment of June 1, 2009. walleye ran 2 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Ocheda Lake?
Statewide inland limits apply; the Southern Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Ocheda Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the ice-out date for Ocheda Lake?
No clarity or ice records exist for it.
Which bait shop is closest to Ocheda Lake?
Runnings is about 4 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Ocheda Lake
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.