Minnesota · DNR survey data

Hickory Lake

Hickory Lake covers 212 acres in Aitkin County, running to 32 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2023. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.

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DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
WalleyeStocked · 2025
Just a few
0.8per gill net
Typical
22"Biggest
Largemouth bass
Just a few
15.3per hr (electrofishing)
14"Typical
19"Biggest
7"19"

Lengths measured · 19 fish

Recent · 2023
1"5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 19 fish

2023
1"5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 4 fish

2015
1"5"10"15"19"

Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Lengths measured · 23 fish

2010
1"5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 2 fish

2000
1"5"10"15"19"

Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Northern pike
Good numbers
14.3per gill net
17"Typical
33"Biggest
13"33"

Lengths measured · 91 fish

Recent · 2023
10"15"20"25"30"33"

Lengths measured · 91 fish

2023
10"15"20"25"30"33"

Lengths measured · 77 fish

2015
10"15"20"25"30"33"

Lengths measured · 83 fish

2010
10"15"20"25"30"33"

Lengths measured · 70 fish

2000
10"15"20"25"30"33"
Bluegill
Just a few
9.4per trap net
7"Typical
9"Biggest
3"9"

Lengths measured · 98 fish

Recent · 2023
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 98 fish

2023
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 8 fish

2015
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Lengths measured · 102 fish

2010
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 134 fish

2000
0"2"4"6"8"9"
Crappie
Just a few
0.2per trap net
Typical
11"Biggest
Yellow perch
Present
0.9per hr (electrofishing)
Typical
Biggest
Rock bass
Excellent numbers
15.3per hr (electrofishing)
Typical
10"Biggest

Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.

DNR stocking records

Stocking history

YearSpeciesStocked
2025Walleye55,000 fry
2023Walleye55,500 fry
2021Walleye55,500 fry
2019Walleye55,500 fry
2017Walleye55,500 fry

Recent reports

Hickory Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Hickory Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.

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Aitkin County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Hickory Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Hickory Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Hickory Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.

Does Hickory Lake have a public access?

Yes. Hickory Lake has one public access site: Hickory Lake (carry-in).

Is Hickory Lake stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.

When was Hickory Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Hickory Lake in 2023, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .