Little Pine Lake
About Little Pine Lake
Little Pine Lake is a 226-acre lake near Aitkin in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 44 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.2 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Little Pine Lake
- 226 acres, up to 44 feet deep, near Aitkin
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 16.2 feet — very clear
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 226 acres
- Max depth
- 44 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 103 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 16
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 16
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- April 5, 2017
- Latest
- April 22, 2019
- Most recent
- April 22, 2019
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Pine Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Hickory Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin212 acres
0.7 miles away
Farm Island Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Bennettville2,005 acres
1.9 miles away
Spirit Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Bennettville523 acres
2.1 miles away
Thornton Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Deerwood (Crow Wing)161 acres
2.5 miles away
Hammal Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin376 acres
2.8 miles away
Hanging Kettle Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin318 acres
2.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Pine Lake?
Little Pine Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Aitkin. It covers 226 acres and reaches 44 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Pine Lake?
Little Pine Lake covers 226 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 44 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Pine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Pine Lake?
Yes. Little Pine Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Pine Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Pine Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Little Pine Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Pine Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Little Pine Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 5, 2017 and the latest is April 22, 2019.
Does Little Pine Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Little Pine Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.