Little Osakis

Little Osakis Lake is a small, lightly developed basin which is connected to Lake Osakis by a shallow, non-navigable stream. There is no public access to Little Osakis Lake. The Head of the Lakes Resort on Lake Osakis owns a boat ramp that can be used to access Little Osakis via a small channel under Highway 10. However, only small boats can maneuver under this bridge.The lake supports an abundant and diverse aquatic plant community. Most of the shoreline is fringed with emergent vegetation and submergent vegetation is dense in most shallow areas. These plants provide spawning habitat and nursery areas for many gamefish. Aquatic vegetation is also important for protecting water quality and clarity. Aquatic plants protect the shoreline from wave induced erosion, filter nutrient and sediment from surface water run off, and compete with nuisance algae for the available nutrients in the water. The fish community in Little Osakis is typical of a small, densely vegetated lake. Northern pike and bluegill are relatively abundant, however average size tends to be small. Northern pike average about 20 inches in length and two pounds in weight. Most of the bluegill sampled were less than 6.5 inches in length. Walleye are present in low numbers. The lake has not been stocked with walleye because there is no public access. Walleye, as well as other species, are able to move between Lake Osakis and Little Osakis. Largemouth bass and black crappie were also captured in survey nets. These species are likely important components of the fish community, however they are not effectively sampled with standard survey nets during summer months.

Little Osakis Lake is a small, heavily vegetated basin which is connected to Lake Osakis. Submergentvegetation grows to a depth of 15 feet and is dense in most areas of the littoral zone. Emergentvegetation is present around the entire shoreline. There are also large expanses of floating-leafvegetation. Fish management activities have been limited because of the lack of public access.Northern pike catches averaged 5.3 fish/gillnet which is within the normal range of mean catch ratesfrom lakes with similar chemical and physical characteristics (3.5 - 10.5 fish/gillnet). Gillnetcatches averaged 7.5 fish/net in 1990 and 8.3 fish/net in 1985. Mean weight of fish captured in 1995was 2.5 pounds. Approximately 50% of the fish captured were 21 inches in length or greater, howeverno fish exceeded 28 inches in total length. Bluegill catches averaged 4.8 fish/trapnet, compared to22.9 fish/net in 1990 and 13.8 fish/net in 1985. The normal range of mean catch rates from similarlakes is 6.1 -46.6 fish/trapnet. Mean weight of fish captured in 1995 was 0.2 pounds. Eight of tenfish captured were 6 inches in length or greater. One walleye, ten yellow perch, and one black crappiewere also captured in survey nets.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, and Black Crappie in Little Osakis. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Little Osakis. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Little Osakis has a maximum depth of 43 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Osakis is from 2002. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Yes — Little Osakis has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 2 special rules for Little Osakis, covering walleye and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.