Pine

Pine Lake is in Ecological Lake Class 16, which consists of 38 lakes in northeast Minnesota that are large, shallow, and have bog-stained and soft (unmineralized) water. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are 30% sand, 30% gravel, 20% boulder, 17% rubble, and 3% muck. Aquatic plants grow to a depth of 4 ft; variable pondweed and floatingleaf pondweed are the most common plants. Pine Lake is located approximately 29 miles S of Ely within the Superior National Forest. This relatively remote lake lies in an area that has a lower density of lakes with streams and rivers being more common. The public access can be found by turning N off CR 15 onto Etelainen Road; going 0.6 miles veer right onto UT56 for 0.65 miles; then veer left onto UT59 for 4.5 miles; then turn left onto the Forest Road for 0.7 miles to the parking area. There is a short carry-down or portage approximately 450 feet long to the lake. There are 3 designated campsites surrounding the lake. Eight species of fish were sampled during the 2017 survey of Pine Lake. Northern pike (33%) were the most common species sampled in the gill nets, while bluegill (63%) dominated the trap net catch. Small pumpkinseed sunfish were sampled in above average numbers and a low density walleye population currently exists in Pine Lake. Northern pike numbers in 2017 (7.3/gill net) were nearly identical to the historic average (7.1/gill net) for Pine Lake and above average (3.6/gill net) when compared to other similar area lakes with pike. The average pike sampled was 19.1 inches which is slightly larger than the historic average of 18.9 inches. Sixteen percent of the pike sampled were 24 inches or larger. The largest pike sampled in 2017 was caught in a trap net and measured 42.5 inches in length. Bluegill numbers in 2017 (18.3/trap net) were identical to the historic average and above average (3.0/trap net) compared to other similar area lakes with bluegill. The average bluegill sampled was 6.4 inches which is similar to the historic average of 6.1 inches. Only 5% of the bluegill sampled were 8 inches or larger with a maximum length of 8.7 inches observed. Walleye numbers in 2017 (2.7/gill net) were lower than the historic average (4.2/gill net) and below average (8.0/gill net) compared to other similar area lakes with walleye. The average walleye sampled was 18.2 inches long and about 6 years old. The largest walleye sampled was 27.8 inches in length. An addtional 12 walleye were sampled in the trap nets with an average length of 21.0 inches.

Pine Lake is in Ecological Lake Class 16, which consists of 38 lakes in northeast Minnesota that are very large, shallow, and have bog-stained and soft (unmineralized) water. Pine Lake is smaller and more bowl-shaped than most of the lakes in this lake class. Pine Lake was not thermally stratified on 08/06/07 with a surface temperature of 73 F with an oxygen level of 7.5 ppm and a bottom temperature of 72 F with an oxygen level of 7.2 ppm. One inlet drains a local swamp. The outlet, to Round Lake, has a log and rock jam that limits fish movement. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are 30% sand, 30% gravel, 20% boulder, 17% rubble, and 3% muck. Aquatic plants grow to a depth of 4 ft; variable pondweed and floatingleaf pondweed are the most common plants. The 2007 assessment consisted of 8 gillnet sets and 9 trapnet sets. Six previous investigations consisted of 3-7 gillnet sets and 3-9 trapnet sets (except that no trapnets were used in the 1981 and 1986 investigations). The three earliest investigations (1968, 1973, 1981) were conducted in late August or early September. Recent investigations (1986, 1992, 1999, 2007) were conducted in late July or early August. Fish populations in 2007 were dominated by bluegill sunfish, yellow perch, northern pike, and walleye. Bluegill numbers have increased in recent investigations. Bluegill numbers in 2007 (59.3/trapnet) were higher than normal (in the fourth quartile) for this lake class. Bluegill were not captured in the initial 1968 survey and low numbers were captured in subsequent investigations until 1992, when 33/trapnet were caught. Bluegill sizes in the trapnets in 2007 averaged 5.1"; the largest bluegill (caught in a gillnet) was 10.2". Most bluegill were age two (36%) and age four (49%). Growth of young bluegill (through age four) was slower than normal by area standards, while growth of older bluegill was faster than normal. Yellow perch numbers in 2007 (17.3/gillnet) were in the fourth quartile for this lake class and have gradually increased from the initial perch catch of 6.7/gillnet in 1968. Perch sizes in the gillnets in 2007 averaged 7.0"; the largest perch was 11.1". Perch recruitment was very evenly distributed from ages two through seven, with three year-olds being the best represented. Growth of perch captured in 2007 was normal by area standards (in the second or third quartile, depending on the age). Northern pike numbers in 2007 (7.9/gillnet) were in the fourth quartile for this lake class and were similar to the median pike catch of 7.0/gillnet in all investigations on this lake. Pike sizes in the gillnets in 2007 averaged 19.6"; the largest pike (caught in a trapnet) was was 34.1". Pike recruitment was very evenly distributed from ages one through six. Growth of pike captured in 2007 was slower than normal by area standards (in the first or second quartile, depending on the age). Walleye numbers in 2007 (4.8/gillnet) were in the second quartile for this lake class and were similar to the median walleye catch of 4.2/gillnet in all investigations on this lake. Walleye sizes in the gillnets in 2007 averaged 17.2"; the largest walleye was 26.7". Walleye recruitment was evenly distributed from ages two through ten, except that no age six walleye were captured. Growth of walleye captured in 2007 was somewhat slower than normal (in the second quartile) by area standards. About half of the game fish examined in 2007 were infected with neascus. A few yellow perch also had yellow grub. Neascus (black spot) and yellow grub are common parasites that are native to the area. They cannot infect humans, are often removed by filleting, and are killed at temperatures used to cook fish.

Pine Lake is in Ecological Lake Class 16, which consists of 38 lakes in northeast Minnesota that are very large, shallow, and have bog-stained and soft (unmineralized) water. Pine Lake is typical of lakes in this lake class except that it is smaller and more bowl-shaped. Pine Lake was only slightly thermally stratified on 07/27/99 and retained good oxygen to the bottom. An inlet drains a local swamp. The outlet to Round Lake has a rock and log jam which limits fish movement. Shallow water lake bottom substrates are mostly sand, gravel, boulder, and rubble. Aquatic plants grow to a depth of 4 ft; pondweeds are the most common plants.The total catch of fish (all species combined) in the gillnets in 1999 of 57 fish/net (45 lb/net) was normal for this lake class. The total gillnet catch has increased gradually over time in the six investigations which have been conducted on Pine Lake, beginning in 1968. The total catch of fish in the trapnets also has increased over time.Fish populations in 1999 were dominated by yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and bluegill sunfish.Yellow perch numbers in 1999 (31/gillnet) were higher than normal for this lake class and have gradually increased from the lowest catch of 6/gillnet in 1968. Perch sizes in the gillnets in 1999 averaged 8"; the largest was 11.9" (0.9 lb). Perch reproduction was very even each year, except that reproduction was poor during the cold summers of 1992 and 1993. Perch growth was normal for area lakes.Walleye numbers in 1999 (9/gillnet) were normal for this lake class, but were higher than the average catch of 4/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. Walleye sizes in the gillnets in 1999 averaged 16" (2 lb); the largest was 28.3" (8 lb). Walleye reproduction was very even each year, except that reproduction was poor during the cold summers of 1992 and 1993. Walleye growth was normal for area lakes. Northern pike numbers in 1999 (7/gillnet) were higher than normal for this lake class, but were similar to the average catch of 6/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. Pike sizes in the gillnets in 1999 averaged 17"; the largest was 33.5" (9.1 lb). Pike reproduction was very even each year. Pike growth was slower than normal for area lakes.Bluegill numbers in 1999 (15/trapnet) were higher than normal for this lake class. Bluegill were not captured in the initial investigation in 1968, and low numbers were caught in subsequent investigations until 1992, when 33/trapnet were caught. Bluegill sizes in the trapnets in 1999 averaged 5"; the largest (caught in a gillnet) was 9.6" (0.8 lb). Most bluegill were ages two, four, and five. Bluegill growth was faster than normal for area lakes.Some of the bluegill and northern pike captured in 1999 were infected with neascus (black spot). Neascus is a native parasite that is common to the area and is found in or just under the skin. It cannot harm humans, is killed by cooking, and is usually removed by filleting.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Rock Bass 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 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pine is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.