Fishing at Pickerel Lake, Pine County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Pickerel Lake lies in Pine County, in Minnesota. The bank is 1,145 feet above sea level. The water covers some 54 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 1.1 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. You are 16 miles from Moose Lake. Then Carlton, 18 miles, and Esko, 21 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Pickerel Lake

  Charted depth runs to roughly 9.2 feet at its lowest. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Pine County records list northern pike, bluegill and largemouth bass among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Pickerel Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 67°F, with January the cold end at about 8°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Expect Pickerel Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. There are toilets half a mile off. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Cranberry Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Pickerel Lake locally before you travel.