Tamarack

Tamarack Lake is a 75-acre lake in eastern Pine County located 20 miles east of Hinckley, and 7 miles north of St. Croix State Park. It is within the Kettle River watershed. It has a maximum depth of 47 feet, an average depth of 15 feet, and 52% of the lake is less than 15 feet. There is one inlet and one outlet that both have seasonal flows. They are often dry during the summer. The inlet originates from Little Tamarack Lake and enters Tamarack Lake on the northeast shore, while the outlet is located on the south shore and flows to Lake Five and McGowan Lake. The water is clear, and clarity averages 12 to 15 feet. Due to high water clarity and 52% of the lake being less than 15 feet, aquatic vegetation is plentiful and has been sampled in depths up to 29 feet in 2016. That plant survey indicated there is a very diverse plant community, which included multiple state endangered species. Substrates are sand, silt, gravel, and rubble. The lake is moderately developed with 25 homes. A gravel public access is located on the southwest corner with six double spaces. Anglers visiting Tamarack Lake can experience angling success for numerous species. Largemouth Bass anglers should catch high numbers of bass between 10 and 15 inches. Black Crappie anglers should have average catch rates, with above average proportions of crappies over eight and ten inches. Northern Pike anglers should catch average numbers of pike up to 21 inches, with a reasonable chance at a pike over 28 inches. Bluegill anglers should experience high catch rates, with average proportions of fish over 6 and 8 inches. Including the initial survey in 1958, twelve fish surveys have been completed to monitor for changes in species composition, number, and length distribution. Recent surveys have occurred in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2016, and 2024. Survey frequency is currently every 8 years. Gamefish species that are best suited for the lake include Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Bluegill. No special regulations are present. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie are listed as the primary management species, while Northern Pike and Bluegill are secondary management species. Nighttime electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was initiated in May of 1999 and has been conducted each of the past five surveys. In 2024, bass were sampled at a rate of 100/hour, compared to the average of 62/hour. The 2024 catch rate was the highest. This catch rate is higher than most Pine County lakes and has increased in each of the past five surveys (26/hr, 48/hr, 55/hr, 83/hr, and 100/hr). Bass average length was 11.4 inches in 2024, compared to 12.3 inches in 2016. The largest bass sampled in 2024 was 16.7 inches. Anglers can expect to catch high numbers of bass that are 10 to 15 inches. This population has an average proportion of bass over 12 inches and a below average proportion of bass over 15 inches. The Black Crappie trap net and gillnet catches were similar in 2024 when compared with 2016. The trap net catch was 2.7/net in 2024 and compares to the average of 2.7/net, while the gill net catch was 0.5/net in 2024 and compares to the average of 2.2/net. Crappie ranged in length from 7.1 to 13.0 inches and had an average length of 9.8 inches. Crappies over ten inches have been sampled in ten of twelve surveys, while crappies over 12 inches were sampled in two. This population has above average proportions of crappies over eight and ten inches. A similar number of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets during the 2024 survey when compared with past surveys. Pike catch rates were 7.0/net in 2024, which compares to the average of 8.1/net. Research indicates pike catch rates over 7.5/net are undesirable, as they are usually associated with higher density populations having poor size structure and slow growth. Higher pike densities can also have detrimental effects on perch populations, which are a primary prey species. This pike population is on that threshold. The 28 pike sampled ranged from 13.9 to 31.0 inches and had a 21.5-inch average. The average length of pike sampled by gill nets in 2016 was 20.8 inches. Twenty-eight inch pike have been sampled in 6 of 12 surveys. The largest pike ever sampled was a 40.5 inch pike in 1958. The 31-inch pike in 2024 was the second largest pike ever sampled. This population has an average proportion of fish over 21 inches. The 2024 Bluegill trap net catch rate of 33/net compares to the average of 45/net. Catch rates have been consistently high since the 1980s. Bluegill ranged from 2.8 to 9.9 inches with a 6.2 inch average. This compares to a 5.4 inch average in 2016. Bluegills over 8 inches were sampled in eight of twelve surveys, including the last five consecutive surveys. This population has above average proportions of fish over 6 and 8 inches. Yellow Perch catch rates have remained consistently low throughout all 12 surveys, which started in the 1950s. Gill net catch rates have only exceeded 4/net once. Perch gill net catch rates were 0.3/net in 2024, which compares with the average of 2.0/net. Only one perch was sampled in 2024 with both trap and gill nets and was 6.7 inches. Perch over 10 inches have never been sampled in gill nets, while perch over 8 inches have only been sampled in two surveys. Perch numbers are too low to offer angler opportunities. Other species sampled included Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

Big Tamarack is a small, clear lake with low fertility located in eastern Pine County. The lake is managed for Northern Pike and Bluegill. A voluntary catch and release program has been initiated by the lake association. A public access is located on the southwest end of the lake. Fishing pressure is usually light. Although this survey found the fewest Northern Pike in the lake's survey history (4.5 fish per gill net), they are still at a level typical for this type of lake. Average size increased somewhat from the previous survey, 1.7 to 2.2 pounds, also typical for this type of lake. Growth is fairly slow though and the largest fish sampled was just under 29 inches. Bluegill catch rates have historically been high in this lake and that held true for this survey. As is typical for lakes with very abundant Bluegill, the size of fish is not especially large. Fish averaged 5.4 inches in length and the largest fish sampled measured 8.1 inches. Black Crappie numbers increased from the last survey to 2.9 per trap net, which is average for this type of lake and the highest since 1991. The size distribution of fish was typical of decent crappie lakes with fish averaging 8 inches and fish up to 10 inches present. As long as the population holds steady or continues to grow, it may provide and angling opportunity that was not available in the recent past. Largemouth Bass were sampled via electrofishing at the highest rate since electrofishing began on the lake. Eighty-three fish were sampled per hour of shocking. Average length was 12.3 inches with the largest fish measuring just over 19.5 inches. The vast majority of bass are near the average with all but 6 fish sampled measuring between 9 and 16 inches. Yellow Perch, while sampled in all previous surveys and occasionally at fishable levels, were not found during this assessment.

Big Tamarack is a small, clear lake with low fertility located in eastern Pine County. Management species include northern pike, bluegill, and largemouth bass. A voluntary catch and release program has been initiated by the lake association. A public access with parking for 6 vehicles is located on the south west end of the lake. Fishing pressure is usually light. Anglers can expect an average number of average sized northern pike. Both pike size and abundance have diminished some since the previous assessment. Northern numbers and size are typical to most similar lakes. Bluegill abundance has historically been high. The 2009 sampling was no exception with bluegill numbers higher than in 2004. Bluegill size while not impressive should still provide some angling opportunity with 39% of the catch 6.5 inches or longer. The black crappie numbers remain low despite two fingerling stockings over the last five years. Largemouth bass are in good supply. The bass catch rate and average size (11.5" and 1.1 pounds) were both very similar to the 2004 sample. More than half of the bass measured were greater than 12 inches while 17% exceeded 15 inches. Shallow water substrates are predominately sand with some rock and silt present. Watersheild and waterlilies grow along much of the shoreline. Many other aquatic plants, unique to soft water lakes, grow in Big Tamarack Lake. The lake shore has become fairly well developed. Twenty five residences are present.

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

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

Tamarack has a maximum depth of 47 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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