Pleasant Lake Fishing guide

DNR survey data

Fish species

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.

Size history

Biggest fish by survey year

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

8–35 ftslow

Shop octopus hooks →

Walleye · Trolling

Leadcore Line + Crankbaits

4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run

15–45 fttrolling

Shop deep-diving crankbaits →

Northern pike · Soft plastics

Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead

4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead

3–25 ftmoderate

Shop paddletail swimbaits →

Northern pike · Muskie & pike

Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)

10" soft rubber body bait

3–25 ftslow

Shop musky rubber →

Yellow perch · Live bait

Jig + Half Crawler

half nightcrawler

5–25 ftslow

Shop jig heads →

Yellow perch · Soft plastics

Curly-Tail Grub on Jig

3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead

3–25 ftslow

Shop curly-tail grubs →

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 2020 survey

This lake is located within the City of North Oaks, a gated community. North Oaks was initially the summer retreat of railroad baron James J. Hill. Most of the land surrounding the lake was developed as upscale, single family housing by the North Oaks Association, which retains ownership of the land. The immediate shoreline of the lake is owned by the St. Paul Water Utility, which uses the lake as part of the water supply system for the City of St. Paul and suburbs. Large volumes of water are pumped from the Mississippi River and flow through Pleasant on the way to water utility treatment and distribution facilities. The source of zebra mussels was believed to be via the aquifer. The presence of Eurasian water milfoil was confirmed in 2010. The water utility currently operates two hypo-limnetic type helixor aeration units in the lake into which they inject ferric choride to remove phosphorus. Pleasant Lake is a legislative fish reserve set aside for the purpose of fish propagation purposes in 1941. The lake has been closed to angling since that time. The lake's use as a source of fish for distribution to other waters outside the watershed is prohibited by DNR rules to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species present in the lake. The lake has also been used as an egg source for Muskellunge propagation. The St. Paul Water Utility pumps water for household use from the Mississippi River through Pleasant Lake and then downstream to other lakes. This pumping has transported fish that are normally riverine species into Pleasant Lake. Several species of fish common in the Mississippi - Channel Catfish, White Bass, and Silver Redhorse were noted in this system of lakes in 1992. It was believed these fish entered the lake via the water utility aquifer. Zebra mussels were confirmed present in the lake in 2007. Pleasant is regularly used as a source of display fish for use in the Minnesota State Fair live fish exhibit.

Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.

Public water access

Getting on the water

• City access: Private access owned by North Oaks near Charlie Lake inlet; west shore. Asphalt ramp.
• City access: Private access owned by North Oaks; east basin; south end; next to pumping station. Asphalt ramp.

DNR bathymetry

Pleasant Lake depth map

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

• Turtle Lake · 450 ac · 1.7 mi
• Snail Lake · 158 ac · 2 mi
• West Vadnais Lake · 212 ac · 3 mi
• East Vadnais Lake · 393 ac · 3.2 mi
• Island Lake · 59 ac · 3.4 mi
• Otter Lake · 302 ac · 3.6 mi
• Reshanau Lake · 337 ac · 3.7 mi
• Wabasso Lake · 43 ac · 3.7 mi

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

How deep is Pleasant Lake?

Pleasant Lake reaches 58 ft at its deepest point; about 45% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).

How big is Pleasant Lake?

Pleasant Lake covers 607 acres with about 6 miles of shoreline.

How clear is the water in Pleasant Lake?

DNR Secchi readings on Pleasant Lake average 5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.

What fish are in Pleasant Lake?

Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2020) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, rock bass, channel catfish, white bass.

Is Pleasant Lake stocked?

No stocking is on record for Pleasant Lake in the DNR's stocking database.

Does Pleasant Lake have a public access?

Yes. Pleasant Lake has 2 public access sites, including a City access (Private access owned by North Oaks near Charlie Lake inlet; west shore. Asphalt ramp.).

How big do walleye get in Pleasant Lake?

The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 22"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.

When was Pleasant Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pleasant Lake in 2020, the most recent of 7 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.