When Does Ochotto Lake Freeze? Typical Ice-In Nov 26, Ice-Out Apr 7
Ochotto Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota usually freezes over around Nov 26, and usually has ice-out around Apr 7, based on Minnesota DNR ice observations recorded between 2006-2021. That works out to roughly 233 days of open water a year. These are typical dates across many winters, not a forecast — individual years swing by weeks in either direction.
Ice record for Ochotto Lake
| Typical freeze-up (ice-in) | Nov 26 |
| Typical ice-out | Apr 7 |
| Earliest freeze-up on record | Nov 20, 2006 |
| Latest freeze-up on record | Nov 26, 2021 |
| Earliest ice-out on record | Apr 4, 2007 |
| Latest ice-out on record | Apr 24, 2008 |
| Open-water season | ~233 days |
| Winters observed | 8 |
| Location | Stearns County, Minnesota |
These are dates, not an ice-safety reading
A typical freeze-up date tells you when Ochotto Lake has usually iced over — it does not tell you the ice is safe, and we hold no thickness measurement for this or any lake. The Minnesota DNR is explicit that no ice is ever completely safe: thickness varies across a single lake, and current, springs, aerators, and insulating snow all weaken it. Ice that held a truck last week may not hold a person today.
Read the ice-thickness guidelines before going out, and check current conditions with the Minnesota DNR ice-safety page and local bait shops, which track conditions lake by lake.
How much the timing varies
Ice-out on Ochotto Lake has landed as early as Apr 4, 2007 and as late as Apr 24, 2008 — a spread of weeks around the Apr 7 median. Freeze-up has ranged from Nov 20, 2006 to Nov 26, 2021. That year-to-year swing is why a median date is a planning tool, not a schedule. Freeze-up is driven by accumulated cold after the lake turns over in fall; ice-out by late-winter air temperature, sun angle, and how much snow sits on top of the ice reflecting it. The full nutrient and algae breakdown for Ochotto Lake is on the lake report.
Source: Minnesota DNR Climate Office ice-in / ice-out records, observations from 2006-2021.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Ochotto Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Ochotto Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota. Live availability and prices for your nights. Switch the map to Satellite to see how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Ochotto Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Ochotto Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Ochotto Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Watch Ochotto Lake water quality
Get an email when the clarity or algae readings change. Unsubscribe anytime.