Pickerel

Pickerel Lake is a 143-acre, lightly developed natural lake located in southern Clearwater County, approximately 25 miles northwest of Park Rapids, MN. Pickerel has a water clarity of 15 feet, a maximum depth of 60 feet, and no inlets or outlets. A small state-owned public water access is located on the southeastern shore of the lake on a 34-acre wildlife management area (WMA). In the late 1990s to early 2000s, the water level rose approximately 10 feet and flooded the shoreline. Due to the higher water level the access is tailored for smaller and/or non-motorized watercraft, with little room for larger rigs to turn around or park. A standard survey was completed on Pickerel Lake in 2024 to assess the fish community. Gamefish species targeted by anglers in this lake include Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Northern Pike. Black Crappie total lengths ranged from 8 to 13 inches and averaged 10 inches. Black Crappie abundance decreased from 2014 and was below average for the lake. Black Crappie ages ranged from 3 to 13 years and growth was average compared to other area lakes. Largemouth Bass continue to be abundant in this lake. Largemouth Bass total lengths averaged 11 inches and ranged from 5 to 18 inches. Ages ranged from 3 to 10 years and recruitment appears to be consistent. Bluegill abundance was similar to the last two surveys which were below average for the lake but within the normal range for this lake type. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches and averaged 6 inches. Bluegill growth rates in Pickerel are slow and fish average only 3 to 4 inches at 4 years of age. It is recommended that anglers keep smaller sunfish and release the larger fish to help improve and maintain the population's size structure. Northern Pike abundance increased from 2014 and was above average for the lake and for similar lakes in Minnesota. Northern Pike ranged from 12 to 33 inches and averaged 19 inches. Twelve percent of Northern Pike captured in gill nets were between 22-26 inches, which is the protected size range for the current statewide regulation of the north central zone. Only three Walleye were captured during the survey averaged around 20 inches. This low-density Walleye population persists through intermittent natural reproduction. Yellow Perch abundance has decreased since 2004 and was below average for the lake. Yellow Perch total lengths ranged from 5 to 12 inches and averaged 7 inches. Yellow perch are considered an important forage species for large predators like Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. Other species sampled during the survey included Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. Currently, Pickerel Lake is not infested with any aquatic invasive species (AIS). AIS can be transferred by anglers and boats from infested to non-infested waterbodies. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. Please follow the current AIS regulations to avoid spreading to other lakes.

Pickerel Lake is a 123-acre lake with a maximum depth of 60 feet located in southern Clearwater County. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical characteristics, water chemistry and fish community. Pickerel Lake is in Lake Class 28 along with Bungo, Deep, First, and Lomond lakes in Clearwater County. Lakes in this class are typically small, deep, infertile lakes with clear water and round basins. During the 1990s and early 2000s the water level of Pickerel Lake rose approximately 10 feet, which flooded shoreline timber and inundated the public water access, which was located on the southeast shore of the lake at the end of Pine Island Lake Road north of State Highway 113. Currently, the access is difficult for larger boats with little room to turn around or park and is more suited to smaller or non-motorized watercraft. Most of the shoreline of the lake is undeveloped, with a small number of lakeside homes and cabins. Pickerel Lake is managed for Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Northern Pike. Due to the low fertility of the lake, growth rates of most fish species are slow, which can limit the maximum size they are able to achieve. Black Crappie catch rates in both gill nets and trap nets (6.83/gill net and 3.38/trap net) were above average when compared to other lakes of similar size and type, indicating that Pickerel's crappie population is fairly abundant. The average size of Black Crappie captured in trap nets (9.7 inches in length and 0.49 lbs/fish) was similar to that of other Class 28 lakes. Black Crappie up to 11.77 inches in length were captured in the 2014 assessment. The extensive flooded timber and aquatic vegetation found within the lake provides excellent habitat for all species present including Black Crappie. Largemouth Bass are abundant in the lake as well, with a gill net catch rate (2.5/gill net) above the normal range for Lake Class 28 lakes. The average size of Largemouth Bass captured (11.94 inches in length and 1.04 lbs/fish) was also similar to other Class 28 lakes. Bass up to 15.39 inches in length were captured in the assessment. Largemouth Bass utilize Bluegill as their primary forage species in Pickerel Lake. While Pickerel Lake has been known for an overabundant Bluegill population dominated by small fish, the 2014 assessment showed some improvement in the population since the previous assessment in 2004. The Bluegill catch rate of 21.13/trap net declined considerably from 2004 (35.56/trap net) and was within the normal range for lake class (14.25/gill net to 40.45/gill net). Average size was also similar at 0.17 lbs/fish. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.35 inches in length. A majority of the Bluegill catch was between 5.5 inches and 7.0 inches in length. Twenty percent of the Bluegill captured were greater than 7 inches in length. Slow growth rates are a limiting factor in the production of quality-size Bluegill in Pickerel Lake. Northern pike were captured at a rate of 6/gill net, which is just above the median value of 5/gill net for Lake Class 28 lakes. Unlike many area lakes, Pickerel still holds a Pike population that is not dominated by lots of small "hammer handle" fish, although there has been a considerable decrease in average size of Northern Pike since the 2004 assessment. In 2004, the average size of Pike captured was a very respectable 27.47 inches in length and 5.09 lbs/fish. Average size declined to 21.9 inches in length and 2.7 lbs/fish in 2014. The largest Northern Pike captured in the 2014 assessment was 35.63 inches in length. Twenty five percent of Northern Pike captured in the assessment were greater than 24 inches in length. Unlike bass and panfish, Northern Pike grow quickly in Pickerel Lake, with growth rates above those measured in similar lakes, resulting in the potential to produce larger fish. Other species of fish captured in the 2014 assessment of Pickerel Lake were Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, and Brown Bullhead.

Pickerel Lake is a small (123 acres) deep (60 feet) lake located in southern Clearwater County. There is a user developed access located on the east side of the lake located one mile north of state highway 113. At the time of the survey, the road leading to the access was in poor condition with some of the road under water. These conditions are the result of a water level increase of 10 feet since 1994.The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Pickerel Lake is in lake class 28. Other area lakes in the same lake class include Bungo, Deep, First, Johnson and Lomond Lakes. Typically lakes in this lake class are small, deep, clear lakes with regular shaped shorelines. The lake is managed for black crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike.Because the water level has increased by approximately 10 feet since the previous assessment, there are many drowned trees along the shoreline providing much structure to fish. This is excellent fish habitat for a multitude of fish species.Anglers can expect a low density population of northern pike that are of quality size. In 2004 pike sampled displayed a wide range of lengths from 21 to 38 inches with an average length and weight of 27 inches and 5 pounds. This is an excellent example of a population where "fewer are better." Low density pike populations tend to have better growth rates and more quality potential. They are also more vulnerable to over harvest since the population is made up of fewer but larger fish. Voluntary release of larger northern pike 24 inches and above is strongly encouraged.There is an abundant population of black crappie that are currently of small size. Few crappie were sampled in 2004 longer than 10 inches. Bluegill is another member of the sunfish family that are common in Pickerel Lake. Historically, the lake has had a reputation of producing lots of small bluegill. In 2004 no bluegill were sampled that were greater than 8 inches long.A dramatic rise in water level and flooding of shoreline timber has greatly increased structure for largemouth bass. Specialized sampling determined that there is an abundant population of this popular species. Bass sampled ranged in length from 7 to 16 inches with an average length of 12 inches.Yellow perch are abundant and are the most important forage for northern pike. This species will be of little interest to anglers since few fish were sampled that were greater than 8 inches long.Other fish sampled include white sucker, brown bullhead, green sunfish, rock bass and hybrid sunfish.

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

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

Pickerel has a maximum depth of 60 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pickerel is from 2024.

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