Pickerel

Pickerel Lake is a designated stream trout lake managed for Rainbow Trout and Splake (Brook Trout and Lake Trout hybrids). Yearling Kamloops strain Rainbow Trout have been stocked at a rate of 50/acre (1,400 fish) in odd years since 2013. Fingerling Splake were stocked at a rate 50 per acre in 2018 and 2020. The 2016 fisheries lake management plan (LMP) included fingerling Splake stocking to provide predation on White Sucker and produce a limited Splake fishery. Fingerling Splake are very small at the time of stocking and survival is often poor. Hatchery capacity to produce yearling Splake has improved in recent years and yearling Splake may be a better option because survival is expected to be higher. The LMP was amended in 2021 to stock yearling Splake in even years starting in 2022 at a rate of 2 pounds per acre (56 pounds) with a target size of 5 fish per pound (280 fish). A gill net only survey was conducted in late fall of 2022 to evaluate over-summer survival and growth from reduced density yearling Splake. Splake were captured at a rate of 11.5 per gill net suggesting good first summer survival of stocked fish. Lengths ranged from 10.2 to 13.2 inches and fish appeared to be from the 2022 stocking. The catch rate was high compared to previous gill net catch rates for Rainbow Trout, even though Rainbow Trout have been stocked at much higher densities. Splake can live longer and attain larger sizes than most stream trout species. The lack of larger splake may indicate high angling mortality or poor survival of stocked fingerlings. A good fishery for larger splake may develop if survival from the 2022 stocking remains favorable. Rainbow Trout were last stocked in 2021 and were sampled at a rate of 1.5 per gill net indicating that multiple year survival had occurred. Sampled Rainbow Trout averaged around 12 inches, suggesting poor growth or high harvest rates of faster growing trout. The results resembled past surveys which indicate that few Rainbow Trout survive beyond their first year in Pickerel Lake. Golden Shiner and White Sucker have been relatively abundant but are undesirable because they compete with stocked trout. Golden Shiners were captured at a rate of 11.5 per gill net suggesting an abundant population. White Sucker were not sampled in 2022.

Pickerel Lake is a designated stream trout lake and is currently managed for Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout or Splake in alternate years. Yearling Kamloop strain Rainbow Trout have been stocked at a rate of 50/acre (1,400 fish) in odd years beginning in 2011. Splake or Brook Trout were supposed to be stocked in even years, yet were not due the lack of availability. Stream trout surveys to monitor the success of trout stocking are conducted in mid-October as water temperatures cool and the fish orientate to the shoreline. One-half inch mesh trap nets were set at ten sites around the lake and remained at the same locations for two nights (20 sets) while two gill nets were also set. In addition, four minnow traps were set. Rainbow Trout were sampled at a rate of 5.0/trap net, the highest trap net catch rate since the 1982 reclamation. Rainbow Trout were also sampled at a rate of 8.0/gill net, slightly higher than the previous assessment (7.5/net). The gill net length frequency had lengths from 9.9 to 12.8 inches with a mean length 11.5 inches. The mean length and the narrow difference between lengths indicates these fish are from the spring 2015 stocking. The sample size from trap nets was significantly larger, yet the length frequency distribution was very similar to the gill net sample, except one fish. One Rainbow Trout was 16.8 inches and likely from the 2013 stocking. This fish survived almost three growing seasons. Similarly, past assessments suggest very few Rainbow Trout survive long enough to compete with the next Rainbow Trout stocking two years later, or as age-3. Past assessments have indicated the potential for over-winter survival, especially by the alternate species. There were no alternate trout species sampled due to an omission from the stocking schedule. The number of White Sucker being sampled has continually increased since the lake reclamation. Trap net catches have ranged from 0 in 1989 and 1994 to 6.1/net in 2015. The gill net catch has also increased to a historically high catch rate of 7.0/net. The increased number of White Sucker will likely impact Rainbow Trout survival through competition. Lengths from the trap net sample ranged from 3.9 to 17.5 inches with a mean length of 8.9 inches, suggesting multiple age classes present. Tapeworm was prevalent in the population. Golden Shiner were the most numerous species sampled, at a rate of 9.9/trap net. This catch was more than double the previous assessment (4.3/net). Lengths ranged from 3.5 to 6.7 inches with a mean length of 4.5 inches. Finescale Dace were the only other species sampled in trap nets. Minnow traps sampled Brook Stickleback, Central Mudminnow, Fathead Minnow, Finescale Dace, and Northern Redbelly Dace.

Pickeral Lake is a designated stream trout lake and is currently managed for rainbow and brook trout. The lake is stocked annually with yearling trout and most recently approximately 1,400 rainbow trout were stocked this spring (2009) and 1,050 brook trout last spring (2008). This population assessment was conducted for two 24-hr periods in mid-October after surface water temperatures had cooled to the mid 40 degree F range when stream trout are more frequent in shallow bays and along shorelines. One-half inch mesh trap nets were set at ten sites around the lake and remained at these locations for two nights for a total of 20 sets while an experimental gill net was set at two stations, #3, in the south end and #4, off point on northeast shore. In addition a cylindrical minnow trap was set at two stations, #1 and #2. Rainbow trout were the most prevalent in both the gill net and trap net catches. A total of 37 rainbow trout were captured in both gear combined: 15 in gill nets (CPUE=7.5) and 22 in trap nets (CPUE=1.10). All except one rainbow trout ranged in lengths from 10-14 inches from both gears and were most likely stocked this spring (2009). Growth appeared excellent for these stocked yearling rainbow trout. The mean weight for the 37 fish had doubled from 0.37 lb when stocked to 0.70 lbs at capture, five months later. For comparison a hatchery reared Arlee strain rainbow trout of the same age would have a mean weight of 0.90 lbs or be approximately 20% larger. The previous 2005 assessment indicated that very few if any rainbow trout survive long enough to compete with the next stocking of rainbow yearlings two years later. Only two 15 inch brook trout were captured and were presumed to be survivors from those stocked in May 2008. The low catch of brook trout in this assessment reflects the low survival of this species following one winter and two summers. The previous assessment (2004) indicated good survival of brook trout through the first summer therefore it appears that much of the mortality of a year class of brook trout occurs later. The abundance of white suckers is becoming a concern in this lake. Catch rates have steadily increased from no suckers in the 1994 PA, to 1 fish or 0.03/ trap net in 1999, to 12 fish or 0.3/ trap net in 2004, to 74 fish or 3.7/trap net and 13 fish or 6.5/ gill net in this PA (2009). They are ranging in all sizes from 7-19 inches and are in direct competition with stream trout for the limited food sources in this bog stained lake with low fertility. Golden shiners were also abundant in the trap net catch as 86 were captured for a CPUE of 4.30. Other minnow species sampled incidentally in the trap nets or minnow traps included brook sticklebacks, fathead minnows, finescale dace, and central mudminnows.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Splake, and Walleye 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 47 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pickerel is from 2022.

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.