Pine

Big Pine Lake is a reservoir of the Pine River just south of Crosslake, MN. The rock dam that created Big Pine Lake built in 1970 that has required frequent costly repairs was replaced in the winter of 2020 with an arched-rock-rapids-style dam that allows for fish passage. This was made possible by a $1.2 million grant from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and the cooperation of many partners, led by Crow Wing County. Much of the lake is less than 10' deep, with one small hole reaching 17'. Heavy vegetation is found in much of the lake. Water clarity is good, with a secchi disk reading of 12'. Northern pike were sampled in average numbers at 5.7/gill net when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 23.0", with 59% in the protected 22"-26" slot. Fish over 26.0" made up 18% of the catch. Lakes in this part of the state have a new northern pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Black crappies were sampled in average number in gill nets (2.0/net), and had an average length of 6.2". Trap nets captured black crappies in low numbers at 0.4/net. Average length was 8.1". For both gears combined 50% measured at least 8.0" in length. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 5.4/trap net. Average length was 5.9", with 22% measuring at least 7.0" in length. Big Pine Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested water because of zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

Big Pine Lake is a 324 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 17', located 20 miles north of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. Big Pine is located in the Pine River watershed. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey took place on July 12, 2019, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at 1 station and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at an additional 5 stations. Soft bottom and heavy vegetation prevented the use of seines at the other 4 sampling sites. Fourteen species were sampled, including 4 species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, pugnose shiner and smallmouth bass. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted on August 19-21, 2019 to calculate a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake.

Big Pine Lake is a reservoir of the Pine River just south of Crosslake, MN. Most of the lake is less than 10 feet deep with heavy vegetation present. The lake contained 81 homes/cabins along 6.4 miles of shoreline during the 2005 survey.Walleyes have not been stocked into Big Pine since 1993. The walleye catch rate (3.0/gill net) was average in 2005 when compared to similar lakes. Average size was 19.7" and 2.6 lbs. All of the fish were over 12".The northern pike catch rate was in the average category (4.0/gill net). Average size was 20.7" and 2.2 lbs., with 15% of the fish being 24" or larger.Largemouth bass gill net catch rate was high in gill nets (1.0/net). Average size was 14.3" and 1.8 lbs. The trap net catch rate was in the average category (0.4/net). Average size was 12.3" and 1.4 lbs. When both net types were combined, 86% of the fish were 12" or larger.The black crappie catch rate was low in both gill nets (0.7/net) and trap nets (0.2/net).The bluegill catch rate was average (22.2/trap net). Average length was 5.4" and only 6% of the fish were 7" or larger.The yellow perch catch rate was average (7.7/gill net). Average length was 6.2" and none of the fish were 8" or larger.Other fish species captured included black bullhead, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, greater redhorse, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, white sucker, and yellow bullhead. Other fish species captured during seining included banded killifish, brook silverside, bluntnose minnow, Iowa darter, and Johnny darter.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill 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 16.9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pine is from 2019.

Yes — Pine has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.