---
type: lake
name: "Orono Lake"
county: "Sherburne"
nearest_town: "Elk River"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 301
max_depth_ft: 18
latitude: 45.30892
longitude: -93.6037
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "71001300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/orono-lake
---

# Orono Lake

Lake in Sherburne County, Minnesota, near Elk River

- **Surface Area**: 301 acres
- **Max Depth**: 18 ft
- **Average Depth**: 3 ft
- **Shoreline**: 12.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Orono Lake is a 301-acre lake near Elk River in Sherburne County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 3 feet, and has roughly 12.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **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, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [East Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/anoka-county/east-twin-lake) - 5.2 miles, 92 acres
- [Foster Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/foster-lake) - 5.6 miles, 115 acres
- [Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/birch-lake) - 5.7 miles, 160 acres
- [Big Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/big-lake) - 7.6 miles, 254 acres
- [Mitchell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/mitchell-lake) - 7.9 miles, 170 acres
- [Diamond Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/diamond-lake) - 8.8 miles, 405 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.30892,-93.6037)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=71001300)
- [All lakes in Sherburne County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/orono-lake)*