Little Pine

Little Pine Lake is the easternmost lake in the 14,000-acre Whitefish chain of lakes in northern Crow Wing County. At 330 acres Little Pine is one of the smaller lakes in the Whitefish chain. The maximum depth is 36 feet and 68% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. There is no public access on Little Pine Lake however, it can be accessed via multiple accesses on the Whitefish Chain. Northen Pike were sampled in high numbers at 7.0 per gill net with an average length of 22.2". Out of the 62 Northern Pike sampled 14% were over 26" with the largest fish measured 33.8". This lake is a part of the north central zone for Northern Pike which has a possession limit of 10 with no more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Walleye were sampled in low numbers at 1.1 per gill net. The average length was quality at 20.6" with fish up to 23.9" sampled. Walleyes are not directly stocked into Little Pine Lake; however, the Whitefish chain is stocked annually with fry and every other year with fingerlings. Walleyes have the ability to move throughout the whole chain. Black Crappie were sampled in high numbers at 5.7 per gill net with an average length of 7.4". Black Crappie numbers were lower in the trap net and averaged 8.4". Only 13% of the fish measured 9" or greater, and the maximum length was 10.6". Bluegill were sampled in high numbers at 32.3 per gill net with an average length of 6.5". Bluegills were sampled in lower numbers in the trap nets an averaged 5.3". The largest Bluegill was 8.1" and 27% measured 7" or greater. A 5-fish bag for both Black Crappie and Bluegill were implemented on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes in 2021 to maintain or improve the panfish population. Largemouth Bass electrofishing was done across the Whitefish Chain, resulting in a catch rate of 44.9 per hour. Average length was 13.1", with fish up to 19.2" sampled. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Little Pine Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested waters because of Zebra Mussels were confirmed in 2014. 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.

Little Pine Lake is a 330 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 36', located 30 miles north of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. Little 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 August 16, 2018, 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 6 stations. Soft bottom and heavy vegetation prevented the use of seines at the other 3 sampling sites. Twenty species were sampled, including 8 species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Iowa darter, blackchin shiner, mimic shiner, rock bass, least darter, longear sunfish, logperch, and banded killifish. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted on July 9-12, 2018 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.

Little Pine is a 387 acre lake, and is part of the Whitefish Chain located in northern Crow Wing County. The maximum depth is 36 feet, with 58% of the lake 15' or less. Northern pike were sampled in high numbers, when compared to similar lakes, at 12.8/gill net. Average length was 21.9", with 32% measuring at least 24" in length. Fish up to 34.7" were sampled. 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. Walleyes are not stocked into Little Pine, but are stocked annually as fry and every other year as fingerlings into the Whitefish Chain. Walleyes can move through the chain and into Little Pine. The gill net catch of 0.6/net was below average when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 18.5". Black crappies were sampled in average numbers in both gill nets (2.1/net), and in trap nets (0.9/net). Average length was 8.1" in gill nets, and 8.0" in trap nets. For both gears combined 52% were at least 8" in length. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 30.1/trap net. Average length was 5.6", with 27% at least 7" in length. Largemouth bass were sampled in low numbers in gill nets at 0.2/net. Average length was 13.4". Largemouth bass electrofishing was done in Little Pine, along with various stations across the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, resulting in a combined catch rate of 68.8/hr run-time. Average length was 13.5". Five smallmouth bass were also netted while electrofishing. All but one were over 17". Little Pine Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested waters because of zebra mussels. 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.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Smallmouth Bass in Little 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 Little Pine. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Little Pine has a maximum depth of 36 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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