Ox Yoke Lake
Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus. DNR lake ID 11035500.
Ox Yoke Lake is a 186.7-acre lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus. Its deepest point reaches 42 ft, and about 47% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 17.6 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the oligotrophic nutrient class. It is not on the DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch.
Buying or selling on Ox Yoke Lake? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 11035500 |
|---|---|
| County | Cass County, near Backus |
| Surface area | 186.7 acres |
| Maximum depth | 42 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 47% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 17.6 ft through 2025 |
| Nutrient class | Oligotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Steady (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | Not on DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026) |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 17.6 ft. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Ox Yoke Lake rates as oligotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: steady.
Fishing on Ox Yoke Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2022 (4 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern pike | gill | 9.67 | 3.5 to 10.5 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.67 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 1.17 | 3.4 to 43.6 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.22 | 0.5 to 3.3 |
| Black crappie | gill | 9.33 | 0.6 to 3.5 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.78 | 0.7 to 3.4 |
| Bluegill | gill | 9.5 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 6.33 | 6.1 to 46.6 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 5.0 | 0.3 to 1.7 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.67 | 0.3 to 1.3 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 1.5 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.33 | 2.0 to 8.5 |
| Rock bass | gill | 4.0 | 0.3 to 1.9 |
| Rock bass | trap | 1.11 | 0.5 to 1.8 |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 0.11 | n/a |
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Northern pike 34.0 in (2022), Walleye 23.0 in (2014), Largemouth bass 15.0 in (2022).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Bowfin, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead.
Fishing regulations
- Sunfish daily limit 5. (DNR Quality Sunfish Initiative)
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
Not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means no confirmed listing, not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
Public boat access
- Ox Yoke Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 6 trailer spaces. 3 miles N of Backus on Hwy 371, then 0.5 mile E on Co Rd 117, then 1.5 miles E on Twp Rd. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Willard Lake 0.9 mi, Cass County
- Five Point Lake 0.9 mi, Cass County
- Pickerel Lake 1.2 mi, Cass County
- Horseshoe Lake 1.4 mi, Cass County
- Rainy Lake 1.8 mi, Cass County
- Big Portage Lake 2.3 mi, Cass County
- Fawn Lake 2.3 mi, Cass County
- Beuber Lake 2.5 mi, Cass County
Questions about Ox Yoke Lake
How deep is Ox Yoke Lake?
Ox Yoke Lake reaches a maximum depth of 42 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 47% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Ox Yoke Lake?
Ox Yoke Lake covers about 186.7 acres in Cass County, Minnesota.
How clear is Ox Yoke Lake?
Summer water clarity on Ox Yoke Lake averages 17.6 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is oligotrophic.
Does Ox Yoke Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
Ox Yoke Lake is not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means there is no confirmed listing; it is not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
What fish are in Ox Yoke Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, bowfin in Ox Yoke Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2022.
Where is the public boat access on Ox Yoke Lake?
Ox Yoke Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Ox Yoke Lake.
How is the walleye population on Ox Yoke Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1994 to 2014, walleye numbers on Ox Yoke Lake ran mostly below the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Ox Yoke Lake?
Homes on Ox Yoke Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Ox Yoke Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Ox Yoke Lake?
Small, quiet water suited to paddling and fishing, about 47% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 17.6 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Ox Yoke Lake?
Yes. Sunfish daily limit 5.
Ask us about Ox Yoke Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Cass County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2022), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.