---
type: lake
name: "O'Brien Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Nashwauk"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 539
max_depth_ft: 63
latitude: 47.35648
longitude: -93.13387
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "31003200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/o-brien-lake
---

# O'Brien Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Nashwauk

- **Surface Area**: 539 acres
- **Max Depth**: 63 ft
- **Shoreline**: 13.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

O'Brien Lake is a 539-acre lake near Nashwauk in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 63 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 13.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2013.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2013
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach

## Fish Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Ox Hide Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/ox-hide-lake) - 3.8 miles, 123 acres
- [Swan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/swan-lake) - 4.4 miles, 2,456 acres
- [Snowball Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/snowball-lake) - 5.1 miles, 145 acres
- [Big Sucker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-sucker-lake) - 6.3 miles, 259 acres
- [Lower Panasa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/lower-panasa-lake) - 6.8 miles, 248 acres
- [Upper Panasa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/upper-panasa-lake) - 7 miles, 148 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.35648,-93.13387)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31003200)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/o-brien-lake)*