O'Leary Lake

How big is O'Leary Lake?

How deep is O'Leary Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in O'Leary Lake?

Are there boat launches on O'Leary Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near O'Leary Lake?

O'Leary Lake is a 131 acre lake located 13 miles north of Nashwauk in the Mississippi River watershed. O'Leary Lake has a maximum depth of 14 feet and occasionally experiences winterkill. O'Leary Lake is managed primarily for panfish and northern pike.Black crappie catch rates were within the normal range and similar to the previous assessment. Black crappie sampled in the 2004 assessment had a modest size structure. Fish in the gill-net sample varied from 4.4 to 11.6 inches in length. Only 15% of the crappie exceeded 10 inches. Black crappie growth rates were below the statewide average.The trap-net catch rate for bluegill (13.7/net) was the highest on record, but still near the lake class average. Bluegill size structure was relatively poor. Trap-net sampled bluegill varied from 2.7 to 8.6 inches in length. Only 4% of the sampled bluegill exceeded 8 inches. Bluegill growth rates were below the lake class average.The northern pike gill-net catch rate in 2004 was within the normal range at 7.5/net. Gill-net catches for pike were above the normal range in the two previous assessments. Northern pike size structure was poor. Gill-net sampled pike varied from 12.7 to 23.4 inches in length. Northern pike growth rates were similar to the statewide average. Five walleye were sampled for a catch rate of 0.8/gill net. This catch rate is below the lake class normal range, but similar to previous assessments on O'Leary. Age analysis indicated the walleye represented the 1994 and 1996 year classes, the last two years of fingerling stocking on O'Leary. Walleye fingerlings were stocked numerous times in the 1980's and early 1990's, but gill-net catch rates never exceeded the first quartile in subsequent assessments.Largemouth bass and yellow perch were sampled in below normal numbers. Other species sampled include: brown bullhead, golden shiner and white sucker.As lakes like O'Leary become increasingly more developed, lakeshore owners will have a larger impact on their future. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. Although the effect of land use decisions on one lake lot may seem relatively small, the cumulative impact of many lakeshore owners "fixing up" their property can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, installing sand beach blankets, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the waters edge, uncontrolled run-off and failing septic systems all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations.

What is the average air temp for O'Leary Lake?

Are there any state parks near O'Leary Lake?