---
type: lake
name: "Ox Yoke Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Backus"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 185
max_depth_ft: 42
latitude: 46.86971
longitude: -94.46266
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "11035500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ox-yoke-lake
---

# Ox Yoke Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus

- **Surface Area**: 185 acres
- **Max Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 13.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Ox Yoke Lake is an 185-acre lake near Backus in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 15 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 17
- **Years of record**: 15
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-19
- **Latest**: 2022-05-07

## Nearby Lakes

- [Five Point Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/five-point-lake) - 0.9 miles, 251 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/horseshoe-lake) - 1.4 miles, 260 acres
- [Rainy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/rainy-lake) - 1.8 miles, 129 acres
- [Big Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/big-portage-lake) - 2.3 miles, 902 acres
- [Beuber Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/beuber-lake) - 2.5 miles, 132 acres
- [Sanborn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sanborn-lake) - 2.7 miles, 220 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.86971,-94.46266)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11035500)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ox-yoke-lake)*