Oriniack Lake
About Oriniack Lake
Oriniack Lake is a 744-acre lake near Tower in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 17 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 11.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2018.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 13 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Oriniack Lake
- 744 acres, up to 17 feet deep, near Tower
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 7 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 744 acres
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Shoreline
- 11.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 621 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
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (13 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2018
- 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.
Camping & Reservations
13 campgrounds are mapped on or near Oriniack Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Oriniack Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Merritt Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower198 acres
2.2 miles away
Trout Lake
73 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower7,425 acres
2.5 miles away
Little Trout Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Soudan528 acres
3 miles away
Gowan Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck134 acres
4 miles away
Vermilion River
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck1,071 acres
4.9 miles away
Chad Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake265 acres
6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Oriniack Lake?
Oriniack Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Tower. It covers 744 acres and reaches 17 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Oriniack Lake?
Oriniack Lake covers 744 acres with about 11.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 17 feet.
What fish can you catch at Oriniack Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Oriniack Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Oriniack Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Oriniack 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 Oriniack Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Oriniack Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Oriniack Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.