Lake and Area Guide
Lake Oscar
Over 1200 acres of excellent boating, swimming, and fishing! Oscar offers the unique experience of being a clean, quiet lake in rural Minnesota. Less populated and less busy than most in the area, it's a fantastic lake for fishing and kayaking/canoeing to watch the loons. When you want to get the kids out on the water there's plenty of space to make some waves while skiing and tubing.
BOAT ACCESS
The public boat access is less than 1 mile west of the cabin. The second turn-in to the parking lot (furthest west) is the entrance. The first turn-in is the exit (closest to the cabin). Both are steep approaches. Be cautious when launching your boat - depending on time of year the water level can be low.
FISHING
We have excellent fishing! Lake Oscar is fantastic for crappie, walleye, northern, panfish, and even muskie (Sshhh! This is one of the secret muskie lakes for the locals, don't tell them I told you!). There is great structure around the lake and even a sunken island towards the middle.
SHALLOW WATERS
While much of the lake is 20+ feet deep, the average depth is closer to 13 feet due to some shallow areas. Caution is needed around areas like:
- The far west bay can be particularly shallow in mid to late summer if the water level is low. Grass is often growing and may form an island.
- The far east bay has many underwater trees that make it risky to navigate, recommend avoiding.
DOCKING
Feel free to tie up your boat to the dock. The lift is not available for use. There is a large rock to lookout for that is about 20 feet out from the end of the dock. With decent water levels, you should be fine to avoid, but be aware.
Please don't jump off the dock, the water is only 2-3 feet deep. We don't want anyone to get hurt.
ADDITIONAL LAKE INFO
Restaurants
These are our favorite local eateries!
Fired Up Bar & Grill - Best for burgers
The Garden Bar on 6th - Best for intimate/upscale dinner and drinks
Travelers Inn - Best for classic cafe breakfast
Pike & Pint Grill - Best for seafood & pasta
Interlachen Inn - Best for a steak dinner
Pizza Ranch - Best for family buffet and kids entertainment
Lure Lakebar - Best for patio dining
Beverages
Carlos Creek Winery - Best for local winery and outdoor atmosphere
Tannin & Oak - Best for craft cocktails
Copper Trail Brewing Company - Best for local brewhouse
Ida Graves Distillery - Best for local distilled cocktail room
Entertainment & Shopping
Country Blossom Farm - apple orchard and cider, pumpkin patch, corn maze, u-pick fruits, bakery, & gifts
Ande's Tower Hills - downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing
Casey's Amusement Park - go karts, mini golf, and bumper boats
Downtown Broadway Street - all kinds of small business shops: candy store, boutiques, jewelers, quilting, beads, spices, books, antiques, gifts, coffee
Garden Center Lanes - bowling alley
Escape Room Alexandria - escape adventure games
Midway 9 Theatre - nine screen movie theater
Viking Speedway - dirt track car races
Hardwood Hills - nine-hole golf course
Adventure
Kensington Runestone Park - hiking, biking, and horse-riding trails; snowmobile trails and a sledding hill in the winter - just minutes away!
Inspiration Peak - 25 miles north to one of the tallest points in Minnesota for an incredible view
Lake Brophy Park - swimming beach, fishing pier, playground, hiking and mountain biking trails
Spruce Hill Park - hiking trails and picnic area
Lake Carlos State Park - camping, swimming beach, hiking trails, and public boat launch
Groceries & Supplies
Target
Cub Foods
Walmart
Aldi
Fleet Farm (fishing licenses and supplies)
Menards
Blade's Store - small convenience store with bait, just a few miles from the cabin