Pine Lake
About Pine Lake
Pine Lake is a 378-acre lake near Finlayson in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 28 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 20 feet, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 15, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Pine Lake
- 378 acres, up to 28 feet deep, near Finlayson
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 7.3 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 378 acres
- Max depth
- 28 ft
- Average depth
- 20 ft
- Shoreline
- 5 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 96 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
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 13
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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 15
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 12, 2024
- Latest
- May 1, 2018
- Most recent
- April 15, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Pine Lake
Compare Pine Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Pine Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Big Pine Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Finlayson399 acres
2.2 miles away
Bass Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Finlayson228 acres
2.4 miles away
Upper Pine Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Finlayson233 acres
3.1 miles away
Eleven Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreKanabec · Kroschel315 acres
3.3 miles away
Five Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreKanabec · Giese44 acres
4.1 miles away
Rhine Lake
23 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Finlayson116 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Finlayson. It covers 378 acres and reaches 28 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake covers 378 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 28 feet and its average depth is about 20 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Pine Lake?
Yes. Pine Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Pine Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at 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 Pine Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pine Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Pine Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 15, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 12, 2024 and the latest is May 1, 2018.