Lake Osakis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Osakis |
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 Lake Osakis
Location in Minnesota
Lake Osakis
Location in the United States
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| Location | Todd / Douglas counties, Minnesota, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°53′48″N 95°07′20″W / 45.8967°N 95.1222°W |
| Type | prairie lake |
| Primary inflows | Bull Creek, numerous unnamed streams and wetlands |
| Primary outflows | Sauk River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 6,270 acres (25.4 km2) |
| Max. depth | 73 ft (22 m) |
| Settlements | Osakis, Minnesota |
Lake Osakis is a beautiful lake located in west-central Minnesota. It stretches across parts of Todd and Douglas counties. The town of Osakis sits right on the lake's southwest side.
What's in a Name? The Story of Lake Osakis
The name "Osakis" comes from the Ojibwe language. The Ojibwe people called it Ozaagi-zaaga'igan. This means "the Sauk's Lake."
The lake got its name because of a story about the Sauk people. A small group of Sauks once lived by the lake. They had been asked to leave their own tribe.
According to old Ojibwe stories, these five Sauks made their home on the lake's shores. Later, in the late 1700s, local Dakota people found them. The story says the five Sauks were killed.
Exploring Lake Osakis: Size and Features
Lake Osakis is a large prairie lake. It covers a huge area of about 6,270 acres (25.4 square kilometers). At its deepest point, the lake is about 73 feet (22 meters) deep.
The lake is the main source of the Sauk River. Water flows out of the lake on its east side. This outflow is natural, but people now control it.
Fish and Wildlife: What Lives in Lake Osakis?
Lake Osakis is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find popular gamefish here. These include black crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Other fish are northern pike, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch.
The lake is especially known for its walleye fish. It's often called the "Mother Lake" for walleye. This is because the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses a special trap on Bull Creek. They collect walleye eggs and milt (sperm) there. This helps them breed more walleye for stocking other lakes.
Besides gamefish, Lake Osakis has many other fish. There are large numbers of black bullhead and brown bullhead. You can also find dogfish and tullibee, also known as "cisco."
Some common carp also live in the lake. However, carp are not native to this area. They are considered an unwanted species.
