Pine

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Pine Lake, was conducted on June 26th, 2025, by Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 0 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 8 stations. Two stations were not seined due to steep shorelines and dense vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including 6 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish and Least Darter) and 2 that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish and Fathead Minnow). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by Area Fisheries staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 8 species of fish, including zero that is intolerant of disturbance. Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Yellow Bullhead and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The trap net catch was light overall. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a August 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Pine Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Pine Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Pine Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Pine Lake (DOW # 49-0081-00; Lake Class 23) is a 178-acre lake located near Upsala, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the southeast shore. Pine Lake has 3.3 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 59 ft. Pine Lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Black Crappie. In 2025 a standard sampling was conducted using gill nets to assess Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie. An additional spring electrofishing sampling was conducted to assess Black Crappies and an IBI assessment was completed using trap nets, seines, and backpack electrofishing. There were 93 Black Crappies caught in the spring electrofishing survey ranging from 5.7 to 10.5 inches and averaged at 8.26 inches. There were also 130 Bluegill caught in the summer gill nets and 108 Bluegill caught in the summer trap nets, ranging from 3.39 to 7.8 inches. Providing a great opportunity to catch panfish in the future, abundant but not much size to them. Largemouth Bass has previously been abundant and sought after, in 2025 sampling only captured 7 Largemouth Bass in the summer gill nets. When conducting the sampling in 2025 multiple other species were present; Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, Tullibee (Cisco), and Yellow Bullhead.

An electrofishing survey to determine current population status of Largemouth Bass was completed in May 2019. A total of 65 bass were captured for a catch rate of 77.4 fish/hour. Measured lengths ranged from 7.8-19.5 inches with a mean of 14.6 inches. Ninety-seven percent of the catch exceeded 11.0 inches in length. Compared to past surveys, the bass population remains similar. Anglers should be aware of tagged Largemouth Bass and are encouraged to report fish caught with tags to the DNR Area Fisheries Office in Little Falls.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Green Sunfish 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 59 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pine is from 2025.

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