O'Leary Lake
Itasca County, Minnesota, near Nashwauk. DNR lake ID 31007000.
O'Leary Lake is a 139.7-acre lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Nashwauk. Its deepest point reaches 14 ft, and about 100% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 9.9 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring. 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 O'Leary 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 | 31007000 |
|---|---|
| County | Itasca County, near Nashwauk |
| Surface area | 139.7 acres |
| Maximum depth | 14 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 100% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 9.9 ft through 2025 (satellite estimate) |
| 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 9.9 ft.
Fishing on O'Leary Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2020 (6 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 | 1.0 | 1.0 to 4.0 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.89 | 0.3 to 1.9 |
| Northern pike | gill | 10.67 | 2.8 to 10.0 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.89 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 0.17 | 2.5 to 23.3 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.11 | 0.5 to 5.2 |
| Black crappie | gill | 26.5 | 1.5 to 7.5 |
| Black crappie | trap | 4.0 | 1.9 to 13.0 |
| Bluegill | gill | 13.0 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 11.44 | 3.1 to 24.9 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 0.67 | 0.9 to 4.3 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.22 | 0.3 to 1.9 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.17 | n/a |
Walleye catch was within the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Northern pike 30.0 in (2020), Walleye 23.0 in (2020), Largemouth bass 19.0 in (2020).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Hybrid sunfish, White sucker.
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'leary Lake: 1 natural launch ramp, 2 trailer spaces. 12 miles north of Nashwauk, off MN Highway #65, on the east shore of O'Leary Lake. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Bower Lake 2.4 mi, Itasca County
- Buck Lake 2.8 mi, Itasca County
- Wolf Lake 3.5 mi, Itasca County
- Stingy Lake 3.7 mi, Itasca County
- Sherry Lake 3.8 mi, Itasca County
- South Fork Lake 5.1 mi, Itasca County
- Twenty Four Lake 5.3 mi, Itasca County
- West Lake 5.3 mi, Itasca County
Questions about O'Leary Lake
How deep is O'Leary Lake?
O'Leary Lake reaches a maximum depth of 14 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 100% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is O'Leary Lake?
O'Leary Lake covers about 139.7 acres in Itasca County, Minnesota.
How clear is O'Leary Lake?
Summer water clarity on O'Leary Lake averages 9.9 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025.
Does O'Leary Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
O'Leary 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'Leary Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, hybrid sunfish, white sucker in O'Leary Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2020.
Where is the public boat access on O'Leary Lake?
O'Leary Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: O'leary Lake.
How is the walleye population on O'Leary Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1996 to 2020, walleye numbers on O'Leary 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'Leary Lake?
Homes on O'Leary 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'Leary Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on O'Leary Lake?
Small, quiet water suited to paddling and fishing, about 100% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 9.9 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'Leary Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for O'Leary Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about O'Leary Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Itasca County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2020), 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.