Pickeral Lake
About Pickeral Lake
Pickeral Lake is a 588-acre lake near Albert Lea in Freeborn County, Minnesota. It reaches 6 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 4 feet, and has roughly 5.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.4 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county.
Plan Your Visit to Pickeral Lake
- 588 acres, up to 6 feet deep, near Albert Lea
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Average water clarity around 1.4 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 588 acres
- Max depth
- 6 ft
- Average depth
- 4 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 1.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 588 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)
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Pickeral Lake
Compare Pickeral Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
White Lake
11 out of 100 Lake ScoreFreeborn · Albert Lea168 acres
2.2 miles away
Fountain Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreFreeborn · Albert Lea522 acres
2.8 miles away
Albert Lea Lake
70 out of 100 Lake ScoreFreeborn · Albert Lea2,669 acres
4.4 miles away
Bear Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreFreeborn · Emmons1,033 acres
7.5 miles away
State Line Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreFreeborn · Emmons372 acres
9.1 miles away
Freeborn Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreFreeborn · Freeborn2,034 acres
11.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pickeral Lake?
Pickeral Lake is in Freeborn County, Minnesota, near Albert Lea. It covers 588 acres and reaches 6 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pickeral Lake?
Pickeral Lake covers 588 acres with about 5.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 6 feet and its average depth is about 4 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pickeral Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Pickeral Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Pickeral Lake?
Yes. Pickeral Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Pickeral Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pickeral 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.