Ox Yoke

Ox Yoke Lake is a 187-acre lake with 2.87 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 42 feet located north of Backus, MN. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources owned public access is located on the south shore. The MNDNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Ox Yoke Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear and productive with moderate depth. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie and secondarily for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A 10 Sunfish possession limit was implemented in 1996 to improve size structure. This regulation showed initial improvements which were not sustained over the long-term, and was converted to a 5 Sunfish daily limit (statewide possession limit still applies) in 2022. Ox Yoke Lake is a great multi-species lake. Black Crappie were above management goals and ranged in length from 4 to 11 inches long with an average length of 7 inches. Bluegill numbers in 2022 were the lowest recorded and did not meet management goals. Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to 8 inches with an average length of 5 inches. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 6 to 17 inches with an average length and weight of 12 inches and 1.2 pounds. Northern Pike numbers exceeded management goals, and ranged in length from 9 to 34 inches with an average length and weight of 20 inches and 2.0 pounds. Other species sampled were Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Ox Yoke Lake however, Purple Loosestrife is found on the lake's shore. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Ox Yoke Lake on June 17 2020, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 32 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 73.1 (±3.2) out of 100 possible. Approximately 62 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 66.7 (±4.1), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 83.6 (±3.7).

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Ox Yoke Lake on June 17 2020, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 32 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 73.1 (±3.2) out of 100 possible. Approximately 62 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 66.7 (±4.1), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 83.6 (±3.7).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, and Walleye in Ox Yoke. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Ox Yoke. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Ox Yoke has a maximum depth of 42 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ox Yoke is from 2022.

No invasive species are on record for Ox Yoke in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.