Pine

Pine Lake is a 1,236 acre lake located three miles south of the town of Gonvick in Clearwater County. Pine Lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet and is managed as a periodic winterkill Lake. Since 1994, the operation of an aeration system has reduced the frequency and extent of winterkill events, although partial kills may still occur in winters with a long duration of snow cover. The last documented partial winterkill was late winter of 2018 where a variety of species such as Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were affected. Fortunately, adequate numbers of those species survived and have expanded in recent years. Pine Lake is managed primarily for Walleye, Bluegill, and Northern Pike. The Walleye population in Pine has been maintained through annual fry stocking. However, the presence of expanding panfish populations have been known to hinder fry stocking success through predation resulting in low Walleye numbers. The 2023 walleye catch rate of just over one fish per gill net was the highest since 2008. Walleye lengths in the survey exceeded 26 inches and averaged over 18 inches. Pine continues to support a low-density Walleye population that can offer seasonal opportunities for some nice sized fish. The 2023 Bluegill catch rate was just below three fish per trap net and lengths up to 10 inches were documented in the survey. The 2019 year class of Bluegill comprised the majority of the sunfish population in Pine. This was the highest Bluegill abundance measured during a survey in Pine Lake since 2008. Pine Lake's Northern Pike population has remained stable over time and were captured at a rate of approximately 16 fish per gill net which is similar to the last two assessments and greater than the expected range for similar lakes. Pike just short of 36 inches were captured and the average size was considerably greater than that of the previous assessment in 2018. Nearly 15% of all pike captured in the gill nets exceeded the 22-26 inch protected slot of the North-Central pike zone. Overall Black Crappie abundance in the 2023 survey increased from 2018. Crappies over 13 inches were present in the survey, averaging around 11 inches in trap nets. Multiple year classes were present in the catch indicating a healthy and resilient population. Yellow Perch numbers increased to the highest in recent years with a gill net catch rate of over 30 per net. Perch up to nearly 11 inches were present in the nets, averaging over 7 inches in length overall. Perch are important not only to anglers, but also as a valuable and essential food source for Walleye, bass, and pike. Other species captured in the 2023 assessment were Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Brown and Yellow Bullhead, and Common Carp. Pine Lake is one of the few lakes in the Bemidji management area where Common Carp reside.

Pine Lake is a 1,236 acre lake located three miles south of the town of Gonvick in Clearwater County. Pine Lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet and is managed as a periodic winterkill Lake. Since 1994, the operation of an aeration system has reduced the frequency and extent of winterkill events, although partial kills may still occur in winters with a long duration of snow cover. A partial winterkill event occurred during the winter of 2017-18 that primarily affected Centrarchid species, such as Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass, although other species were also reported as part of the kill by area residents after ice out. The 2018 Pine Lake fish population assessment provided an opportunity to determine the impact to fish populations and whether any reintroduction stockings would be necessary. Fortunately, adequate numbers of the desirable species were still present to repopulate the lake. Anglers should expect reduced catch rates for Crappie, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed sunfish until new reproduction reaches catchable size. One positive aspect of partial winterkill events can be found in the resiliency of fish populations and their growth response to reduced competition. Growth rates of species such as Bluegill and Black Crappie can increase significantly and large individuals may be produced in a relatively short time frame. Spawning success and survival of juvenile fish can also increase due to lower levels of predation. Pine Lake is managed primarily for Walleye, Bluegill, and Northern Pike. The lake's Walleye population has been maintained through fry stocking. Since the early 2000s, expanding panfish populations appear to have reduced fry stocking success through competition and/or predation which has resulted in low Walleye numbers. The 2018 walleye catch rate of 0.44 fish per gill net, which matched the previous assessment in 2013, is an all-time low. The few Walleye that were caught were large, with an average length of 18.3 inches. While the winterkill was unfortunate in the fact that it severely reduced a quality panfish fishery, it may bode well for the re-establishment of a Walleye fishery in Pine Lake in the future. The 2013 Bluegill catch rate was 0.8 fish per trap net. Bluegill were found up to 7.2 inches. Two year classes of Bluegill were identified that should provide adequate reproductive potential to expand the population to pre-winterkill levels. Pine Lake's Northern Pike population fared well through the winterkill, and were captured at a rate of 17.0 fish per gill net which is similar to the last two assessments and greater than the normal range for lakes of this type. Northern pike up to 32 inches were captured and the average size (18.3 inches and 1.5 lbs) was similar to that of the previous assessment conducted in 2013. Northern Pike may be the species to target on Pine Lake until panfish populations recover. Black Crappie were also persistent through the winterkill and were captured at a rate that is typical for the type of lake and similar to 2013. Crappies up to 10 inches were present in the sample, with an average size of 9.5 inches. Only a single year class of crappies were identified in the catch. As with Bluegill, the lake's Black Crappie population should respond with increased growth rates and reproductive success in the near future. Yellow Perch numbers remained relatively consistent since the 2013 survey. Yellow Perch up to 10.5 inches were present in the nets. Although Pine Lake is not known as a quality perch fishery, they are important as a prey species for Walleye, Northern Pike and Black Crappie. Other species captured in the 2018 assessment were Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Brown and Yellow Bullhead and Common Carp. Pine Lake is one of the few lakes in the Bemidji management area where Common Carp reside.

Pine Lake is a 1,238 acre lake located three miles south of the town of Gonvick in Clearwater County. Pine Lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet and is managed as a periodic winterkill Lake. Since 1994, the operation of an aeration system has reduced the frequency and extent of winterkill events, although they may still occur in winters with a long duration of snow cover. As of this writing (March 2014), no reports of winterkill on Pine Lake have been received by the Bemidji Area Fisheries Office. A partial winterkill event occurred during the winter of 2012-13 that affected primarily bluegill, although other species were reported as part of the kill by area residents after ice out. The 2013 Pine Lake fish population assessment provided an opportunity to determine the impact to fish populations and whether any reintroduction stockings would be necessary. Fortunately, adequate numbers of fish from the primary species found in the lake were documented in the 2013 assessment. One positive aspect of partial winterkill events can be found in the resiliency of fish populations and their growth response to reduced competition. Growth rates of species such as bluegill and black crappie can increase significantly and produce large individuals in a relatively short time frame. Spawning success and survival of juvenile fish can also increase due to lower levels of predation. Pine Lake is managed primarily for walleye, bluegill, and northern pike. The lake's walleye population has been maintained through fry stocking. Since 2005, an expanding bluegill population had reduced fry stocking success through predation, so walleye numbers were low in Pine Lake prior to the 2012-13 winterkill. The 2013 walleye catch rate of 0.44 fish per gill net (0.44/GN) was an all-time low. The few walleye that were caught were large, with an average length of 23.3 inches. While the winterkill was unfortunate in the fact that it severely reduced a quality bluegill population, it may bode well for the re-establishment of a walleye fishery in Pine Lake in the near future. The 2013 bluegill catch rate was 0.36 fish per trap net (0.36/TN) and 2.44/GN. Bluegill were of quality size, with fish up to 9.25 inches present. Four year classes of bluegill were identified including three that were sexually mature. The remaining bluegill should provide adequate reproductive potential to expand the population to pre-winterkill levels. Prior to the winterkill, Pine Lake's bluegill population had good numbers of quality-size (8-inch) individuals. Pine Lake's northern pike population fared well through the winterkill, and were captured at a rate of 17.78/GN, which is greater than the normal range for lakes of this type. Northern pike up to 35.2 inches were captured in the assessment. The average size of northern pike (19.6 inches and 1.87 lbs) was similar to that of the previous assessment conducted in 2008. Thirteen percent of the northern pike catch was greater than 24 inches in length (also similar to 2008). Black crappie were also persistent through the winterkill and were captured at a rate that is typical for the type of lake and similar to 2008. Black crappie up to 11.5 inches were present in the sample, with an average size of 9.78 inches and 0.60 lbs. Two year classes of black crappie were identified in the catch. As with bluegill, the lake's black crappie population should respond with increased growth rates and reproductive success in the near future. Yellow perch numbers actually increased from 0.78 fish/gill net in 2008 to 12.56 fish/gill net in 2013. Yellow perch up to 10.7 inches were present in the sample. Although Pine Lake is not known as a quality yellow perch fishery, they are important as a prey species for walleye, northern pike and black crappie. Other species captured in the 2013 assessment were pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, white sucker, brown and yellow bullhead and common carp. Pine Lake is one of the few lakes in the Bemidji management area where common carp have been verified.

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

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

Pine has a maximum depth of 15 feet and a mean depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pine is from 2023.

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