Orono

Orono Lake is a 281-acre reservoir formed by a dam on the Elk River in the City of Elk River in Sherburne County. Orono Lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet and there is a public access on the west side of the lake in a city park. The reservoir has had issues with sediment deposition from the Elk River over the years and was originally drawn down and dredged in 1999 to remove some of the sediment. Because of continual sedimentation over the past 20 years, a second drawdown and dredging was conducted during the fall 2020 and completed in the early spring of 2021. Due to the drawdown and dredging project a partial winterkill was experienced. This brief survey was intended to determine the extent of the winterkill and whether any species need to be restocked. On May 3, 2021, the Sauk Rapids Fisheries Office conducted 1.7 hours of electrofishing throughout various portions of the reservoir including upstream and downstream of Hwy 10 sampling 11 species of fish. Sport fish sampled included Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch, all in relatively low numbers. After the survey, the lake association paid for the restocking of several species including Black Crappie (200 adults), Bluegill (3,800 yearlings), Largemouth Bass (20 adults and 2,000 yearlings), Walleye (200 fingerlings), and Yellow Perch (300 adults). The DNR will also stock an additional 281,000 Walleye fry in the spring of 2022. Additional surveys in the future may be necessary to measure the recovery of the fishery, which will likely take a period of several years. Other species sampled in low numbers include Bowfin, Common Carp, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Shorthead and Silver Redhorse, and White Sucker.

Orono Lake is a 281 acre reservoir formed by a dam on the Elk River in the City of Elk River in Sherburne County. The lake was drawn down and dredged in 1999 and subsequently restocked with game fish. Orono Lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet and dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish throughout the water column. Water clarity was modest; Secchi depth was 4.0 feet in early August and the MPCA ten year summer average Secchi depth is 3.9 feet. The watershed is large and land use is primarily cultivated crops, wetlands, and pasture. There is a public access on the west side of the lake in a city park. The last survey was conducted in 2008. Walleye numbers were low and similar to 2008, but within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Orono. Lengths ranged from 10.7 to 23.1 inches with an average length and weight of 17.5 inches and two pounds. Walleye reproduce naturally within the Elk River and no stocking has occurred since 1999. Northern Pike numbers were low and unchanged from 2008, but within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 16.1 inches to 24.8 inches with an average length and weight of 20.4 inches and 2.1 pounds. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing on May 31, 2019. Only three Largemouth Bass were captured, ranging in length from 11.4 to 20.1 inches; no Largemouth Bass were captured in 2008. The Smallmouth Bass catch rate was 49.6/hr compared to 36.9/hr in 2008. Lengths ranged from 4.8 to 20.4 inches with an average length and weight of 14.2 inches and 1.9 pounds. Sixty-three percent of Smallmouth Bass were longer than 14 inches. The Bluegill catch rate was low, similar to 2008, and below the range of expected values for the lakes like Orono. Lengths ranged from 3.5 to 8.5 inches with an average length of 7.0 inches. Twelve percent of Bluegill were longer than eight inches. Aquatic vegetation is sparse in Orono Lake, likely limiting reproduction and survival of Bluegill and other sunfish species. Black Crappie numbers in trap nets were similar to 2008, whereas the gill net catch was lower than 2008. Both catch rates were within the range of expected values. Lengths ranged from 5.6 to 13.4 inches with an average length of 7.7 inches. Six percent of crappies were longer than 10 inches. Yellow perch numbers were higher than 2008 and within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 3.7 to 12.1 inches with an average length of 8.3 inches. Twenty-four percent of the perch collected were longer than 10 inches. This is noteworthy because few lakes in the Sauk Rapids area produce Yellow Perch of a desirable size for anglers. Other species sampled in low numbers include: Bowfin, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead and Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Orono Lake is a 281-acre reservoir in southeast Sherburne County. It formed by a dam on the Elk River at the City of Elk River. The lake was drawn down in 1999 to allow dredging of accumulated sediment in selected areas. Adult black crappie and bluegill were stocked between 1999-2003 to re-establish the populations. Daytime electrofishing was conducted in spring 2000 and 2003 to survey the fish populations; and trap nets were used in spring 2001-2003 to further evaluate the recovery of the fishery. This was the first full survey since 1984. The most abundant species in gill nets were black bullhead, shorthead redhorse, white sucker, yellow bullhead and yellow perch. All of these were within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Orono, except for shorthead redhorse, which were above the normal range. All of these species are common in the Elk River and naturally exist in Orono Lake. Important sport species such as walleye and northern pike were less abundant but still within the range of expected values and anglers can expect to catch an occasional walleye and northern pike. Twenty percent of northern pike were greater than 24 inches in length. Electrofishing in 2008 found many smallmouth bass, which ranged in size from five to 19 inches. Largemouth are also present but smallmouth are more prevalent as is the case for the Elk River also. Overall, catches were light in trap nets. Previous trap net assessments sampled few fish and it is unclear why net catches are low. The most abundant species in trap nets were black crappie and silver redhorse. When bluegill were caught in low numbers in 2003, electrofishing showed that bluegill were captured at a rate of 61.9/hour. Progeny from these fish should provide populations into the future. Black crappie were present in modest numbers and ranged from 5 to 13 inches in size. Anglers can expect to catch an occasional large crappie. The survey marked the first occurrence of channel catfish. Two small fish less than eight inches were taken in trap nets. Previously, catfish were found below the Orono Lake Dam. It appeared that most species have recovered from the draw down in 1999. Further stocking does not appear to be necessary.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, and Pumpkinseed in Orono. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Orono has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 3.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Orono is from 2021.

Yes — Orono has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.