O'Brien Lake
Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Cross Lake. DNR lake ID 18022700.
O'Brien Lake is a 185.7-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Cross Lake. Its deepest point reaches 49 ft, and about 55% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 19.2 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, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill.
Buying or selling on O'Brien 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 | 18022700 |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County, near Cross Lake |
| Surface area | 185.7 acres |
| Maximum depth | 49 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 55% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 19.2 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 8.0 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 2.6 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Oligotrophic |
| 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 19.2 ft, phosphorus 8.0 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 2.6 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, O'Brien Lake rates as oligotrophic.
Fishing on O'Brien Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2019 (7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 0.33 | 0.5 to 2.3 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.44 | 0.3 to 0.5 |
| Northern pike | gill | 10.67 | 3.5 to 8.9 |
| Northern pike | trap | 1.11 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 1.17 | 1.0 to 10.3 |
| Black crappie | gill | 1.0 | 1.0 to 3.9 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.44 | 0.8 to 4.0 |
| Bluegill | gill | 3.33 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 16.0 | 9.5 to 57.3 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 1.5 | 0.4 to 1.6 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 1.11 | 0.3 to 1.4 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 1.17 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 0.89 | 1.5 to 6.8 |
| Rock bass | gill | 0.5 | 0.5 to 1.7 |
| Rock bass | trap | 0.67 | 0.4 to 1.7 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.67 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 1.44 | n/a |
Walleye catch was below the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Largemouth bass 18.0 in (2019), Walleye 25.0 in (2019), Northern pike 30.0 in (2019).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Green sunfish, Bowfin, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
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
- O'Brien Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 3 trailer spaces. From Co. Rd. 36 go north on Bonnie Lakes Rd. for 1.55 miles, then left on Tamarack Rd. for 0.25 miles. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Velvet Lake 1.1 mi, Crow Wing County
- Goodrich Lake 1.1 mi, Crow Wing County
- Rock Lake 1.3 mi, Crow Wing County
- Dolney Lake 1.7 mi, Crow Wing County
- Command Lake 1.8 mi, Crow Wing County
- Little Pine Lake 2.3 mi, Crow Wing County
- Bass Lake 2.5 mi, Crow Wing County
- Daggett Lake 2.6 mi, Crow Wing County
Questions about O'Brien Lake
How deep is O'Brien Lake?
O'Brien Lake reaches a maximum depth of 49 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 55% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is O'Brien Lake?
O'Brien Lake covers about 185.7 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
How clear is O'Brien Lake?
Summer water clarity on O'Brien Lake averages 19.2 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is oligotrophic.
Does O'Brien Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
O'Brien 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 O'Brien Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass in O'Brien Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2019.
Where is the public boat access on O'Brien Lake?
O'Brien Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: O'Brien Lake.
How is the walleye population on O'Brien Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1992 to 2019, walleye numbers on O'Brien 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 O'Brien Lake?
Homes on O'Brien 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 O'Brien Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on O'Brien Lake?
Small, quiet water suited to paddling and fishing, about 55% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 19.2 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on O'Brien Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for O'Brien Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about O'Brien Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Crow Wing County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2019), 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.