O'Leary Lake
About O'Leary Lake
O'Leary Lake is a 202-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 52 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 25 feet, and has roughly 2.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in.
Plan Your Visit to O'Leary Lake
- 202 acres, up to 52 feet deep, near Crane Lake
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 18.5 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 202 acres
- Max depth
- 52 ft
- Average depth
- 25 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 18.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 65 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
Best For
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to O'Leary Lake
Compare O'Leary Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Little Trout Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake272 acres
1.5 miles away
Sand Point Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake8,527 acres
3.5 miles away
Spring Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake219 acres
5.3 miles away
Johnson Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake1,736 acres
5.6 miles away
Namakan Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,066 acres
5.8 miles away
Mukooda Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake774 acres
5.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is O'Leary Lake?
O'Leary Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 202 acres and reaches 52 feet deep.
How big and how deep is O'Leary Lake?
O'Leary Lake covers 202 acres with about 2.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 52 feet and its average depth is about 25 feet.
What fish can you catch at O'Leary Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on O'Leary Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at O'Leary Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at O'Leary Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is O'Leary Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for O'Leary Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.