---
type: lake
name: "Pickerel Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Effie"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 241
max_depth_ft: 70
latitude: 47.82527
longitude: -93.35845
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "31033900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/pickerel-lake
---

# Pickerel Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Effie

- **Surface Area**: 241 acres
- **Max Depth**: 70 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Pickerel Lake is a 241-acre lake near Effie in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth 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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2018.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 8 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**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2018
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 20
- **Years of record**: 8
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-09
- **Latest**: 2022-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/battle-lake) - 0.8 miles, 243 acres
- [Deer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/deer-lake-effie) - 1.3 miles, 1,855 acres
- [Poplar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/poplar-lake) - 1.9 miles, 112 acres
- [Five Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/five-island-lake) - 3.1 miles, 214 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/bass-lake-togo) - 3.2 miles, 122 acres
- [Buttonbox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/buttonbox-lake) - 3.6 miles, 81 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.82527,-93.35845)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31033900)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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