Ozawindib Lake

How big is Ozawindib Lake?

How deep is Ozawindib Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Ozawindib Lake?

Are there boat launches on Ozawindib Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Ozawindib Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Ozawindib Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Ozawindib Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

Lake Ozawindib is a 151-acre lake with a maximum depth of 80 feet located within Itasca State Park in southern Clearwater County. There is a public water access with concrete ramp and parking for 6 vehicles/trailers located on the north shore of the lake off of Wilderness Drive. There is an accessible fishing pier located at the parking area. A State Park daily or annual vehicle permit is required. Ozawindib is one of four lakes located within the park that were selected for the implementation of special fishing regulations in 2006. Special regulations on Lake Ozawindib consist of a minimum size limit of 10 inches for Black Crappie and a protected slot limit for Largemouth Bass (all fish from 12 to 20 inches must be immediately released with one fish over 20 inches in length allowed in possession). Statewide fishing regulations apply to all other species in Lake Ozawindib. The lake is managed for Northern Pike, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical characteristics and the fish community present. Lake Ozawindib is in lake class 23. The following discussion makes comparisons between Lake Ozawindib and other class 23 lakes in the state. Other Bemidji area lakes in this class include North Twin, South Twin, and Grant Lake.

The Northern Pike catch rate of 9.5/gill net was above the normal range found in similar lakes (2.19/gill net to 8.70/gill net). While pike are abundant and can provide plenty of fishing action, the average size in the 2015 survey was on the small side at 19.58 inches in length and 1.97 lbs/fish. Twelve percent of the pike captured in the survey were greater than 24 inches in length, with the largest pike captured measuring 34.25 inches in length.

Black Crappie are often targeted by anglers on Lake Ozawindib. The minimum size limit of 10 inches in length implemented in 2006 was intended to increase the average size of harvested Black Crappie by reducing harvest of small fish, improve size structure of the crappie population and provide more consistent crappie fishing from year to year. A series of spring assessments have been conducted as part of an evaluation of the special regulation for Black Crappie on Lake Ozawindib. The series of spring surveys for Black Crappie shows a steady increase in trap net catch rates since the first survey in 2005, culminating in a catch rate of 20.59/trap net in the spring of 2015. In 2015, 23% of the catch exceeded 10 inches in length, with Black Crappie up to 11.61 inches in length captured in the survey.

An electrofishing assessment targeting Largemouth Bass was conducted as part of the 2015 survey. The electrofishing catch rate of 48.45 bass/hour was a moderately high catch rate for the Bemidji area and shows a healthy population. Largemouth Bass up to 18.90 inches in length were captured in the assessment. The lake contains good habitat for Largemouth Bass, with extensive weedlines as well as steeper shoreline drop offs and a number of large trees that have fallen into the lake.

The 2015 Bluegill catch rate of 20.56/trap net was just above the average catch rate for other similar lakes (19.83/trap net). The Bluegill population has shown some improvement since the last survey in 2005, with a high proportion of the catch (51%) exceeding 7 inches in length and Bluegill up to 8.35 inches in length captured in the survey. A newly installed accessible fishing pier located near the public access should provide good shore fishing opportunities for Bluegill as well as the other primary species of fish found in the lake.

Other species of fish captured in the 2015 survey were Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Perch, and White Sucker.

Are there any state parks near Ozawindib Lake?