Pickerel

Pickerel Lake is a 293-acre lake located 12 miles east of Effie, MN in the Bigfork River watershed. A concrete public access is located off Highway 533 on the western shore of the lake with parking for two vehicles with trailers. Pickerel Lake has a maximum depth of 70 feet and 18% of the lake is 15 feet or less. The lake's water has lower fertility and is fairly clear, with visibility to 9.5 feet in mid-July 2018. The depth of water at which oxygen levels limited fish presence was 11 feet. The lake is the middle lake in a chain of navigable lakes including Deer and Battle. The chain has a special 10 fish bag limit sunfish regulation, implemented in 2006, to maintain the existing quality sunfish population. The sunfish regulation was reviewed and maintained in 2015. Targeted surveys for sunfish were conducted in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2018. The chain also has a special Walleye regulation, implemented in 2005, to provide a more stable Walleye population and increase the contribution of natural reproduction. All Walleye from 17 to 26 inches must be immediately released, with only one fish over 26 inches allowed in possession. The bag limit remains six. Targeted surveys for Walleye were conducted in 2007 and 2013. Standard surveys were conducted in 2010 and 2018. The 2014 lake management plan indicated Bluegill and Walleye were primary species, while Black Crappie were a secondary species. Three surveys were conducted on Pickerel Lake in 2018 to monitor various aspects of the fish community. An early-June targeted survey to sample sunfish, an early-July Index of Biotic Integrity survey to sample the near-shore fish community and evaluate the overall lake health, and a standard survey (this report) in mid-July to monitor the fish community for changes in species composition, abundance, size structure and growth. The Bluegill population has typically had lower density and good size distribution. Past surveys described the population as having moderate recruitment with growth faster than lakes with similar habitat. The trap net catch rate was similar to past surveys. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches, but the proportions of fish sampled greater than 6 and 8 inches were substantially worse than in past surveys. Size structure had been noticeably better in the spring targeted survey. The size distribution in the summer sample was influenced by a high proportion of age 2 and 3 Bluegill, less than 6 inches. These younger year classes accounted for over 70% of the sample. It is not unexpected that these fish were not as well-sampled in the spring survey, since that assessment targets adult fish moving shallow prior to spawning. Bluegill growth was consistent with previous surveys. Bluegill averaged 7.3 inches at age 6. Due to the lake's small size it is recommended that anglers release sunfish over 8 inches. The Walleye population has lower density resulting from natural reproduction or migration from adjacent lakes. Past surveys described the population as having low recruitment with growth comparable to lakes with similar habitat. Fry stocking was discontinued in 2011 because it did not appreciably increase the Walleye population. Walleye are limited by low fertility and low perch numbers. The Walleye catch rate was lower than average for lakes with similar habitat, but typical for Pickerel Lake. Ten Walleye were sampled in 2018 that ranged from 7 to 24 inches. Eight year classes from ages 1 to 13 were represented. Growth was slow; Walleye averaged 16.2 inches at age 6. The Black Crappie population has low density with average size distribution and growth. The trap net and gill net catches were low but similar to lake averages. Eight crappie were sampled in 2018 that ranged from 4 to 12 inches. The Northern Pike population has moderate density with below average size distribution. The gill net catch in 2018 was similar to the average for the lake and for lakes with similar habitat. Lengths of gill-net sampled pike ranged from 15 to 33 inches with an average of 20 inches. Only one fish over 22 inches was sampled. Due to the lake's small size it is recommended that anglers release fish over 26 inches. The Largemouth Bass population has never been sampled with spring night time electrofishing, but it is suggested this occur in the future. Prior to the 2018 survey, only five Largemouth have ever been sampled with trap nets or gill nets. Eight were sampled in 2018, which ranged from 7 to 16 inches. Age analysis showed five year classes present from age 2 to 7, with slow growth. Largemouth Bass averaged 12.0 inches at age 6. Due to the lake's small size it is recommended that anglers release fish over 15 inches. The Yellow Perch population has low density and with few harvestable sized fish present. Ten perch were sampled in 2018, which ranged from 5 to 6 inches. The gill net catch was the lowest ever recorded. Low Yellow Perch numbers likely limit the number of Walleye and other gamefish. The Tullibee (Cisco) population has remained low since a summer die off reported in 2003. Only one 18 inch Tullibee was sampled in 2018, the second lowest catch rate ever. Smaller Tullibee can provide important prey for predators in addition to Yellow Perch. Other species sampled in 2018 included Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Common Shiner, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead and White Sucker. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow and/or minimize the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Pickerel Lake is in ecological lake class 25 and is located 14 miles east of Effie, MN, in the Bigfork Watershed. The lake is 293 acres and has a maximum depth of 70 feet. A survey targeting nearshore fish species was conducted by Area staff on 3 July, 2018. Ten sampling sites (100 feet long) were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-ft or 15-ft 1/8th inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. Shoreline seining was conducted at nine sites; one using a 50-ft seine and eight using a 15-ft seine. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. Nearshore sampling captured a total of 19 different species; 17 species by seining and eight species by backpack electrofishing. The species can be found in the gear-specific catch tables in this report. Nearshore catches will be used with the gill net and trap net data from the standard survey conducted on 16 July, 2018, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of lake health. The surveys will assist the watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Pickerel Lake is 293 acres and is located approximately 12 miles east of Effie, MN in the Big Fork River Watershed. The lake is the middle lake in a chain of navigable lakes including Deer and Battle Lakes. There is a state-owned public access with limited parking on the west shore. A special 10 fish bag limit regulation was implemented in 2006 to maintain the existing quality sunfish population. This targeted survey was conducted to evaluate the special regulation and to determine the status of the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. The Bluegill trap net catch was considerably lower than previous spring surveys. It should be noted that the survey was shortened due to workload considerations and that nets were only lifted over two days. It is likely that weather during the sampling event had an impact on fish catches, so the number per net may under-represent the actual abundance. Pickerel Lake has a history of producing quality sized Bluegill. Size structure remained favorable, as 73% of the sampled Bluegill exceeded 6 inches and 21% exceeded 8 inches. Bluegill ranged from 3 to 8.5 inches and averaged 6.6 inches. This was similar to the size structure to previous spring surveys and suggests that the 10 fish bag limit may be helping to maintain size quality. Ages 2 through 8 were represented with ages 3 and 6 the most frequently sampled. Growth was similar to previous surveys with Bluegill averaging 7.3 inches at age 6. Lakes with similar habitats typically produce low to moderate crappie catches, and Pickerel is no exception. The 2018 catch rate was typical for the lake. The size structure was diverse, as crappies ranged from 3.8 to 12.5 inches and averaged 8.4 inches. Ages 2 through 9 were identified with no dominant year class. Growth was average compared to similar lakes with fish typically exceeding 9 inches at age 5. Overall, Pickerel lake continues to provide good angling opportunities for quality panfish. Other species sampled in the spring trap nets included Pumpkinseed Sunfish and Hybrid Sunfish.

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

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

Pickerel has a maximum depth of 70 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pickerel is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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