Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Pine Lake Fishing guide
Pine Lake covers 324 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 16.9 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 12 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 6 times, most recently in 2019, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets. That survey is 7 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Northern pikeJust a few5.7per gill net22"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 25 fish
2019Lengths measured · 34 fish
2005Lengths measured · 24 fish
1995BluegillJust a few5.4per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 49 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 49 fish
2019Lengths measured · 231 fish
2005Lengths measured · 15 fish
1995CrappieJust a few0.4per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 10 fish
2019Lengths measured · 4 fish
2005Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
1995Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Rates 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 Pine Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 12 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 16.9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 12 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze. A 16.9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 25" | 15" | — |
| 2005 | 21" | 14" | — |
| 1995 | 26" | 12" | 8" |
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Swim Jig + Paddletail Trailer
3.5–4.5" paddletail trailer on a bullet-nosed swim jig
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2019 survey
Big Pine Lake is a reservoir of the Pine River just south of Crosslake, MN. The rock dam that created Big Pine Lake built in 1970 that has required frequent costly repairs was replaced in the winter of 2020 with an arched-rock-rapids-style dam that allows for fish passage. This was made possible by a $1.2 million grant from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and the cooperation of many partners, led by Crow Wing County. Much of the lake is less than 10' deep, with one small hole reaching 17'. Heavy vegetation is found in much of the lake. Water clarity is good, with a secchi disk reading of 12'.
Northern pike were sampled in average numbers at 5.7/gill net when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 23.0", with 59% in the protected 22"-26" slot. Fish over 26.0" made up 18% of the catch. Lakes in this part of the state have a new northern pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information.
Read the full DNR narrative
Black crappies were sampled in average number in gill nets (2.0/net), and had an average length of 6.2". Trap nets captured black crappies in low numbers at 0.4/net. Average length was 8.1". For both gears combined 50% measured at least 8.0" in length. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 5.4/trap net. Average length was 5.9", with 22% measuring at least 7.0" in length.
Big Pine Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested water because of zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Pine Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Pine 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
- Pine Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pine Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Cross Lake Reservoir · 1,815 ac · 2.1 mi
- Greer Lake · 354 ac · 2.4 mi
- Pleasant Lake · 22 ac · 2.8 mi
- Little Star Lake · 49 ac · 3.3 mi
- Velvet Lake · 167 ac · 3.3 mi
- Star Lake · 128 ac · 3.5 mi
- Daggett Lake · 258 ac · 3.6 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 922 ac · 3.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake reaches 16.9 ft at its deepest point; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake covers 324 acres with about 3.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pine Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pine Lake average 12 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2019) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Pine Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Pine Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Pine Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pine Lake has one public access site: Pine Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pine Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Pine Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pine Lake in 2019, the most recent of 6 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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