Pickerel Lake
About Pickerel Lake
Pickerel Lake is a 310-acre lake near Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 26 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 6 feet, and has roughly 6.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 2021.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 14 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Pickerel Lake
- 310 acres, up to 26 feet deep, near Park Rapids
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — 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 10.4 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 310 acres
- Max depth
- 26 ft
- Average depth
- 6 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 270 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
- 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
- 12
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- 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 18
- Years of record
- 14
- Earliest
- March 14, 2024
- Latest
- May 10, 2013
- Most recent
- April 16, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Pickerel Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Blue Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids336 acres
1.5 miles away
Stocking Lake
9 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids102 acres
2.1 miles away
Lower Bottle Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Dorset641 acres
2.3 miles away
Emma Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Dorset78 acres
2.7 miles away
Big Sand Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Dorset1,639 acres
2.9 miles away
Upper Bottle Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Dorset459 acres
3.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake is in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Park Rapids. It covers 310 acres and reaches 26 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake covers 310 acres with about 6.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 26 feet and its average depth is about 6 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pickerel 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 Pickerel Lake?
Yes. Pickerel 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 Pickerel Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pickerel 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 Pickerel Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pickerel Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Pickerel Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 14 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2024 and the latest is May 10, 2013.