---
type: lake
name: "Pickerel Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Maine"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 849
max_depth_ft: 78
latitude: 46.42727
longitude: -95.80596
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "56047500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pickerel-lake
---

# Pickerel Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Maine

- **Surface Area**: 849 acres
- **Max Depth**: 78 ft
- **Average Depth**: 28 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Pickerel Lake is an 849-acre lake near Maine in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 78 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 28 feet, and has roughly 6.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 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. 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 zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 13 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**: 16
- **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, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 24
- **Years of record**: 13
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-22
- **Latest**: 2013-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Maine Lake (Round)](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/maine-lake-round) - 1.8 miles, 88 acres
- [Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/twin-lake) - 2.1 miles, 369 acres
- [Dead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/dead-lake) - 4.5 miles, 7,546 acres
- [West Lost Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-lost-lake) - 4.7 miles, 795 acres
- [East Lost Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/east-lost-lake) - 4.8 miles, 483 acres
- [Deer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/deer-lake) - 5 miles, 447 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.42727,-95.80596)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56047500)
- [All lakes in Otter Tail County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county)

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