Jail

Jail is a 170 acre lake located about five miles northeast of the City of Pine River, in Crow Wing County. There is no public access. Resort access is available. Development is relatively low with about 6.5 homes/cabins per shoreline mile in 1998. Two resorts were also present. The lake has a maximum depth of 22 feet and about 67% of the surface area is less than 15 feet deep. Water is classified as moderately hard and phosphorus fertility is also moderate. Water clarity was about average for the area in 1998. The lake had a rather diverse aquatic plant community and submergent plants were found to a depth of 10 feet.Test netting was done in June of 1998. Previous nettings were done in early September of 1966 and June of 1983. Northern pike was the most abundant gamefish. Catches were in the "high" category when compared to similar type lakes. Pike ranged from 17-29 inches and size averaged 21 inches and 2.8 lbs. Several age classes were present in roughly equal abundances and growth was good. Largemouth bass were sampled only by shoreline seine. Bluegill was caught in "high" numbers and average size was about 6.5 inches. About 37% were 7.0 inches or more in length. Several age classes were present and growth rate was fast compared to other similar type lakes. Black crappie was very abundant in 1983 but had only "average" abundance in 1998. Two age classes were sampled in trap nets. A few smaller crappies were sampled by gill net. Yellow perch is an important forage base for gamefish. Perch abundance was "high" again in 1998. Two fairly strong year classes provided the bulk of the perch sample and growth was good. Other species sampled included black bullhead, yellow bullhead, bowfin (dogfish), golden shiner, pumpkinseed and white sucker. Catch rates for these species were all in the "average" category when compared to similar type lakes.

Northern pike abundance (13.0/lift) extremely high, with an excellent frequency distribution present. Walleye abundance (0.5/lift) low. Bluegill abundance high (83.0/lift) and majority small. Black crappie abundance (53.0/lift) very high. Bullhead abundance moderate with size large. Yellow perch as forage very abundant (229.0/lift).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed in Jail. 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 Jail. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Jail has a maximum depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Jail is from 1998. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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