Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest August 14, 2023
Oak Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Oak Lake average 7.05 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 14, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–18 inches. In Pine County, Minnesota, Oak Lake has no letter grade — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Water clarity averages 4.0 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Oak Lake
12 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Oak Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Oak Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Oak Lake average 7.05 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 14, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–18 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Oak Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-08-14 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 19.59 | 0.67 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 10.64 | 0.17 lb |
| Black Crappie | 8.78 | 0.31 lb |
| Bluegill | 7.98 | 0.23 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 7.05 | 1.76 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Black Bullhead
Yellow Perch
Black Crappie
Bluegill
From the 2023-08-14 survey
Oak Lake is a 422 acre lake in northern Pine County. A paved public access and a private resort are both located on the south shore of the lake. Water clarity is good despite sporadic algae blooms in August. Oak Lake is managed primarily for Walleye. Walleye fry have been stocked in odd years since 2017. Lake use is…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Oak Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — OakFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Oak (0359)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — OakFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — OakPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Oak Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Oak Lake average 7.05 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 14, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–18 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 12 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Oak Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Oak Lake is dated August 14, 2023. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Oak Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Oak Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Oak Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Oak Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Oak Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Oak Lake
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