Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Pickerel Lake Fishing guide
Pickerel Lake covers 849 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 78 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Excellent numbers11per gill net14"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 99 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 99 fish
2025Lengths measured · 141 fish
2020Lengths measured · 133 fish
2016Lengths measured · 179 fish
2012Smallmouth bassPresent3.1per gill net15"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 28 fish
2025Lengths measured · 45 fish
2020Lengths measured · 61 fish
2016Lengths measured · 88 fish
2012Rock bassGood numbers1.3per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2025Lengths measured · 27 fish
2020Lengths measured · 42 fish
2016Lengths measured · 47 fish
2012Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Pickerel Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 12.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 78 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 12.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 78 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23" | 17" | 17" |
| 2020 | 24" | 16" | 19" |
| 2016 | 25" | 14" | 18" |
| 2012 | 27" | 17" | 20" |
| 2008 | 29" | 19" | 19" |
| 2004 | 26" | 16" | 17" |
| 2000 | 24" | 13" | 16" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 19,180 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 19,637 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 860 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,478 yearlings · 125 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 14,525 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 5,765 fingerlings · 220 yearlings · 792 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Pickerel Lake is an 829-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County one mile north of Maine, MN. Pickerel Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed and there is an un-navigable, intermittent outlet located along the northeast shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Pickerel Lake has a maximum depth of 78 feet; however, 33% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 16.0 feet. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 11.0 to 16.8 feet.
The entire shoreline of Pickerel Lake has been extensively developed with homes and cottages. A DNR owned concrete public access is located on the south shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel and rubble. Emergent aquatic vegetation such as hardstem bulrush or common cattail is extremely limited; however, a wide variety of submerged aquatic plant species are prevalent throughout the lake. All of these aquatic plants are important to Pickerel Lake because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality.
Read the full DNR narrative
A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Smallmouth Bass populations. Data indicates that these species are abundant and have good size distributions as well.
Walleye abundance has remained stable and at a high level over the recent series of surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 6.5 to 23.2 inches with an average length and weight of 13.2 inches and 0.9 pounds. Age data indicates that the 2022 and 2024-year classes are very strong and should provide excellent Walleye angling for several years. MN DNR Fisheries maintains the Walleye population at a viable level by stocking Walleye fingerlings on an every-other-year basis. Walleye growth is fast as they reach an average length of 16.5 inches at four years of age.
Survey data indicate that an excellent Smallmouth Bass population exists. Smallmouth Bass are abundant, and the size structure is very good. Age data indicate that Smallmouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 10.3 to 18.0 inches with an average length and weight of 14.6 inches and 1.9 pounds. Smallmouth Bass growth is also fast as they reach an average length of 13.6 inches at four years of age.
The DNR has constructed and placed fifty Smallmouth Bass half-log spawning structures in Pickerel Lake. These spawning structures increased the amount of suitable spawning habitat available to Smallmouth Bass.
There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Pickerel Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
Pickerel Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2020. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Pickerel Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Pickerel 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.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Pickerel Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pickerel Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Maine Lake · 89 ac · 1.6 mi
- Twin Lake · 369 ac · 2.2 mi
- West Lost Lake · 795 ac · 4.5 mi
- Dead Lake · 7,546 ac · 4.8 mi
- East Lost Lake · 483 ac · 4.8 mi
- Deer Lake · 447 ac · 5 mi
- Anna Lake · 598 ac · 6 mi
- Walker Lake · 579 ac · 6.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake reaches 78 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 28 ft; about 32% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake covers 849 acres with about 6.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pickerel Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pickerel Lake average 12.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pickerel Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Pickerel Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Pickerel Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pickerel Lake has one public access site: Pickerel Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pickerel Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 23"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2000.
When was Pickerel Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pickerel Lake in 2025, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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