Pine

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Pine Lake on July 29th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Lake Whitefish and Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 81.0 feet), the water temperature decreased to 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 38.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 79.1 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 40.8 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Lake Trout was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 6.0 degrees C (42.8 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 1959, 1977, 2023 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in most years surveyed. Unsuitable habitat conditions was found in 1959. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Pine Lake is a 2,122-acre lake just inside the BWCAW and drains to Lake Superior via the Royal and Pigeon Rivers. It is approximately 38 miles northeast of Grand Marais and public access is through a usually navigable channel (or short portage) from McFarland Lake. It can also be reached via much more difficult portage routes from West Pike and Canoe Lakes. Pine is a large, deep, clear-water lake that supports a deepwater fish community of lake trout, lake whitefish and dwarf cisco. Over the last 30 years DNR Fisheries has attempted to enhance lake trout in this lake with only marginal success. Walleye and lake trout are the current management species for the lake. The 2023 standard lake survey was conducted to monitor the fish community in Pine Lake and evaluate management goals currently in place on the walleye and lake trout populations. Walleye relative abundance is up from the previous two surveys (2011 and 2016) but relatively low for the lake historically. Walleye catch rates are still good compared to similar lakes in the area. Walleye ranged between 7 and 25 inches in size with an average size of 15 inches. Aging results found 10 naturally reproduced year classes with the oldest fish being 11 years old. Walleye growth rates were relatively fast in Pine Lake with age 5 fish being over 18 inches in size. Survey results suggest that Pine Lake can still provide anglers with good walleye fishing opportunities. Lake trout relative abundance in gill nets has always been low in Pine Lake, but the 2023 survey found slightly better catch rates. Lake trout goals were not met in 2023. Lake trout ranged from 12 to 27 inches with a mean length of 20 inches. Aging results found 5 year classes in the population all appearing to be naturally reproduced. It is unfortunately common for stocked lake trout to not be represented in the population suggesting poor survivorship. Lake trout growth is good as dwarf cisco provide excellent forage. Pine Lake continues to support a low density native lake trout population with good growth. Smallmouth bass relative abundance was similar to historical catches in Pine Lake but slightly down from previous surveys. Catch rates are still higher than similar lakes in the area. Smallmouth bass ranged from 12 to 18 inches with a mean length of 15 inches. Pine Lake supports a fairly high-quality population with most fish exceeding 12 inches in length and should be of interest to anglers. Northern pike relative abundance has always been low in Pine Lake and continued to be in 2023. Catch rates are slightly below average for similar lakes in the area. Northern pike were large and ranged from 23 to 38 inches with a mean length of 29 inches. Pine lake appears to support a low-density northern pike population with good growth, reaching sizes that would be considered memorable for most anglers. Past surveys of Pine Lake have occasionally taken a few small cisco and was the case during the 2023 survey. The lack of any larger cisco suggested this was a dwarf population. Dwarf cisco provide an excellent forage base for walleye and lake trout, and their presence probably accounts for the good walleye growth and even northern pike seen in this survey. Lake whitefish remain abundant in Pine Lake in 2023 and much higher compared to other similar lakes. Lake whitefish ranged from 12 to 24 inches with a mean length of 19 inches. Aging results indicated the presence of 21 naturally reproduced year classes and the oldest fish captured appeared to be 34 years old. Habitat conditions remain good in Pine Lake for lake whitefish. Survey metrics continue to show lake whitefish are doing extremely well in Pine Lake. Lake whitefish can provide good fishing for those who could figure out how to catch them. Lakes above and below Pine Lake in the Royal River watershed are infested with spiny waterflea, and Pine Lake is most likely infested as well. Anglers and others leaving Pine Lake should be careful to drain all water and clean and dry all equipment used on the lake before moving to another body of waters. Lakes particularly at risk from equipment moved from Pine Lake include Long, Stump, Gadwall, and Vale.

Pine is a large, deep, clear-water lake that originally supported Lake Trout and Northern Pike as its only native gamefish species. A 1959 lake survey reported Walleye had replaced the Lake Trout, and were about to be replaced in turn by Smallmouth Bass. Lake Trout did all but disappear, but the Walleye population persisted despite the presence of what seemed to have been high numbers of Smallmouth Bass. Over the last 30 years DNR Fisheries has attempted to re-establish Lake Trout in this lake. The current (2015) lake management plan (LMP) listed Walleye as the primary management species, with Lake Trout as the secondary species, and began a limited stocking program as a last attempt to re-establish Lake Trout. Long range goals were to maintain a minimum Walleye gill net catch (in deep and shallow sets combined) of 8.0 fish/net, with some fish over 25 inches present. The goal for Lake Trout was to establish a self-sustained population supporting a minimum gill net catch (deep and shallow combined) of 0.8 fish/net. This was the first of three surveys scheduled in the 2015 LMP to evaluate the latest round of Lake Trout stocking, and to determine whether Pine Lake supports a dwarf cisco population. Other surveys are planned for 2022 and 2028. Surveys were also needed to monitor attainment of long range goals for the Walleye population. Gill net surveys done on this lake since 1997 have been stratified on the basis of depth, with deep gill net sets targeting cold waters suitable for Lake Trout, and shallow sets targeting warmer waters; however, most earlier surveys also sampled a mix of deep and shallow habitats. All references to gill net catch in this discussion will be to the combined catch in deep and shallow sets, since that is most comparable to historic surveys, surveys of similar lakes, and to goals set in the management plan for this lake. Although down in recent years, good numbers of Walleye remained in Pine Lake in 2016, and some larger fish were present. The 2016 Walleye gill net catch (2.50 fish/net) was the lowest seen to date in this lake, and fell well below the current long range goal. Walleye gill net catches in Pine Lake appear to have declined steadily since 1988, and have been below the goal since 2003. Although Walleye numbers were down, the 2016 catch included some larger fish, and was supported by many naturally produced year classes. No one year class stood out as having been exceptionally strong. Growth of Walleye had been somewhat faster than average at early ages. Fish reached a mean length of 15.2 inches at the end of their fourth year, compared to an area average of 14.4 inches. Reasons for the decline in Walleye numbers were unclear. Smallmouth Bass gill net catches have been relatively high in the last three surveys, and were lowest when Walleye gill net catches were at their highest. In recent surveys Lake Whitefish gill net catches have increased as Walleye catches declined, but older surveys (1977 and 1988) found Lake Whitefish catches at their highest when Walleye catches were also at their highest. Numbers for other species (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, and Burbot) have been consistently low, with no changes associated with the change in Walleye catch. Mean weights for Walleye have been higher in recent surveys than they were when Walleye catches were higher, suggesting a reduction in the number of smaller fish present (reduced recruitment) accounted for the reduction in total Walleye catch. Catches in 1977 and 1988 included much higher numbers of 12-16-inch fish than have been seen in recent surveys. Only two Lake Trout were taken in 2016; however, both had been produced naturally, providing the first clear evidence that Lake Trout have reproduced in this lake. A few anglers have also reported catching Lake Trout that could not be accounted for by stocking. None of the yearlings stocked in the spring of 2016 were taken in this survey. That is unusual, since recently stocked fish have typically been vulnerable to surveys done in the year of stocking. It may suggest poor survival of the 2016 stocking. The next yearling stocking is scheduled for 2019, with a final stocking to be done in 2022. Smallmouth Bass seemed to have been abundant in Pine Lake in 2016, and were present in a wide range of sizes. The gill net catch (2.50 fish/net) was one of the higher catches seen in this lake historically, and was above normal for a lake of this type. The lake seemed to support a fairly high quality population, with most of the catch exceeding 12 inches in length. Reproductive success appeared to have been fairly consistent; ten year classes contributed to the catch, with none standing out as exceptionally strong. Smallmouth Bass growth had been about average; on average fish reached a length of 12.1 inches at the end of their sixth year, compared to an area average of 12.4 inches. No Northern Pike were sampled in 2016, but it is likely a few were present nonetheless. Gill net catches in this lake have typically been low. Catches of Yellow Perch, White Sucker, and Burbot were low in 2016, but were typical of what's been seen in this lake in the past. Past surveys of Pine Lake have occasionally taken a few small Cisco. This survey included the use of three small-mesh gill nets to confirm the presence of dwarf Cisco, and to get a rough idea of their abundance. The Cisco catch in those nets (55.3 fish/net) was high - well above normal compared to other catches in that gear in lakes in this area. The lack of any larger Cisco suggested this was a dwarf population. Dwarf Cisco would provide an excellent forage base for Walleye and Lake Trout, and their presence probably accounts for the good Walleye growth seen in this survey. Lake Whitefish were abundant in Pine Lake in 2016, and could have provided some good fishing for those who could figure out how, when, and where to catch them. The Lake Whitefish gill net catch (14.92 fish/net) was well above the normal range (1.07-9.28 fish/net) for lakes of this type, and was the highest catch seen in this lake since 1997. From the length distribution it appeared that at least six year classes contributed to the 2016 catch. Lakes above and below Pine Lake in the Royal River watershed are infested with spiny waterflea, and Pine Lake is certainly infested as well. Anglers and others leaving Pine Lake should be careful to drain all water and clean and dry all equipment used on the lake before moving to another body of waters. Lakes particularly at risk from equipment moved from Pine Lake include Long, Stump, Gadwall, and Vale.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Pine. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Pine has a maximum depth of 113 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Pine has confirmed spiny waterflea. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.