---
type: lake
name: "Pickerel Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Detroit Lakes"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 361
max_depth_ft: 74
latitude: 46.87591
longitude: -95.72835
lake_score: 64
dnr_lake_id: "03028700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/pickerel-lake
---

# Pickerel Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Detroit Lakes

- **Surface Area**: 361 acres
- **Max Depth**: 74 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 17.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 64/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Pickerel Lake is a 361-acre lake near Detroit Lakes in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 74 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.7 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with flowering rush and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 15 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

flowering rush, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 24
- **Years of record**: 15
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-29
- **Latest**: 2022-05-07

## Nearby Lakes

- [Cotton Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/cotton-lake) - 1.5 miles, 1,763 acres
- [Perch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/perch-lake) - 2.1 miles, 48 acres
- [Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/rock-lake) - 3.7 miles, 1,196 acres
- [North Tamarack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/north-tamarack-lake) - 4.6 miles, 1,442 acres
- [Little Floyd Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/little-floyd-lake) - 5 miles, 215 acres
- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/rice-lake) - 5.4 miles, 231 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.87591,-95.72835)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03028700)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/pickerel-lake)*