Lake Ocheda (Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Ocheda |
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USGS satellite photo of Lake Ocheda
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 Lake Ocheda
Location in Minnesota
Lake Ocheda
Location in the United States
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The Ocheyedan River flows out of Lake Ocheda and joins the Little Sioux River near Spencer, Iowa.
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| Location | Nobles County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 43°34′44″N 95°35′00″W / 43.57889°N 95.58333°W |
| Lake type | Glacial lake |
| Primary inflows | Judicial Ditch #9, Judicial Ditch #10, and several small creeks |
| Primary outflows | The Ocheyedan River |
| Max. length | 5.5 mi (8.9 km) |
| Max. width | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
| Surface area | 1,917 acres (776 ha) |
| Average depth | 3 ft (0.91 m) |
| Max. depth | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Surface elevation | 475.5 m (1,560 ft) |
Lake Ocheda is a long, narrow lake found in Nobles County, Minnesota. It's about three miles south of the town of Worthington, Minnesota. This lake stretches for about 5½ miles from east to west. Its width changes, from a few hundred yards to a bit over half a mile.
Contents
Exploring Lake Ocheda's Geography
Lake Ocheda is naturally divided into three main parts. These are called West Ocheda, the Middle Bay, and East Ocheda. Two narrow channels of water connect these three sections. The lake is quite shallow, with an average depth of less than three feet. The deepest part is only about five feet.
How Lake Ocheda's Depth Changed
In the past, Lake Ocheda used to be much deeper. A report from 1882 said the lake was once 20 feet deep! Local people believe the lake became shallower because of dirt washing in from nearby farms. This process is called erosion. The Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District helps manage and protect Lake Ocheda today.
First People to Settle by Lake Ocheda
The first people to permanently settle near Lake Ocheda were Ole Fauskee and his family. Ole came to the United States from Norway in 1867. He was 25 years old at the time.
Ole Fauskee's Journey
Ole was traveling through southwest Minnesota with his brother when their ox team got tired. He really liked the land he saw. So, on June 8, 1870, he and his brother walked all the way to Jackson, Minnesota. They went there to claim land. Ole Fauskee claimed land in Indian Lake Township, Minnesota. His brother claimed land right next to him.
Building a New Life
Back then, the railroad had not yet reached Nobles County. The only other settlements were near Graham Lakes, Minnesota and Indian Lake. Ole Fauskee built a simple sod hut on the banks of East Lake Ocheda. He lived there for five years. He also claimed more land in Bigelow Township, Minnesota. Eventually, Ole built a wooden house there and became a successful farmer.
Finding Public Access to Lake Ocheda
There are two places where the public can easily get to Lake Ocheda. Both of these spots are Nobles County Parks. They are popular places for people who enjoy fishing.
Pickeral County Park
The first public access point is Pickeral County Park. You can find it on the northwestern shore of West Ocheda. It's a great spot to enjoy the lake.
Sportsman's Park
The second public access point is called Sportsman's Park. This park is located where a highway bridge crosses the channel. This channel connects the Middle Bay and East Ocheda sections of the lake.
Fishing in Lake Ocheda
Even though Lake Ocheda is very shallow, it has many different kinds of fish. It's a popular spot for anglers!
Fish Species You Can Catch
You can find lots of Black Bullheads and Yellow Bullheads in the lake. Black Crappies and White Crappies are also very common. Other fish include Orangspotted Sunfish and Yellow Perch.
Why Certain Fish Thrive Here
The lake is stocked every year with Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. These types of fish can handle low oxygen levels better than other fish. This is important because Lake Ocheda is very shallow. It often has low oxygen during the winter months.
Winter Survival of Fish
Even with low oxygen in winter, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch have never completely died off in the lake. The Northern Pike population has been doing very well for the last six years. Their numbers are about average for lakes like Ocheda. Northern Pike caught here usually measure between 16.5 and 30.0 inches long.
