Ozawindib

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Ozawindib Lake on August 19th, 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 31 survey sites evenly spaced 200 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 87.3 (+/- 1.9) out of 100 possible. A score of 87.3 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-91.9). Two sites were developed with a mean score of 60.0 (+/- 23.3) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 89.2 (+/- 1.0) with High (85-91.9) habitat quality.

Lake Ozawindib is a remote 159-acre lake with a maximum depth of 80 feet located within Itasca State Park in southern Clearwater County. There is a public water access with concrete ramp and parking for 4 vehicles/trailers located on the north shore of the lake off of Wilderness Drive. There is also an accessible fishing pier located at the parking area. A State Park daily or annual vehicle permit is required to access lakes within the park. Special regulations on Lake Ozawindib consist of a reduced 5-fish bag limit for Black Crappie and a protected slot limit for Largemouth Bass (all fish from 14 to 20 inches must be immediately released with one fish over 20 inches in length allowed in possession). Statewide fishing regulations apply to all other species in Lake Ozawindib. The lake is managed for Northern Pike, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass. The lake contains excellent habitat for all fish species present. The 2025 survey showed a quality Northern Pike population. Pike up to nearly 37 inches in length were captured with a good average size of nearly 23 inches and 3.5 pounds. Thirty-five percent of pike captured in offshore nets were greater than 26 inches in length. Black Crappie and Bluegill were captured in strong numbers. Catch rates were above average compared to similar lakes in the state for both species but exceptionally high for Bluegill. Anglers can expect to catch Bluegill from 5 to 8 inches in length and Black Crappie up to around 10 inches in length with the occasional larger fish mixed in for both species. An accessible fishing pier located near the boat ramp offers a good shore fishing opportunity for these species. Largemouth Bass were targeted with electrofishing gear earlier in the summer and captured in good numbers in a relatively short amount of time. Lengths exceeding 19 inches were found along with an ample number of "eater" sized fish just below the 14-20 inch protected slot. Other species of fish captured were Yellow Perch, Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Green Sunfish and Rock Bass.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ozawindib Lake was conducted on August 15, 2022, by DNR Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at nine sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff on August 15-16, 2022. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured eight species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number and biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a 2020 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Ozawindib Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that meets the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River - Headwaters Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Green Sunfish, and Walleye in Ozawindib. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Ozawindib. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Ozawindib has a maximum depth of 80 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ozawindib is from 2025.

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