Pokegama Lake
About Pokegama Lake
Pokegama Lake is a 1,521-acre reservoir near Pine City in Pine County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 10.4 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 24 Pine County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.9 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 24 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie. 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 2025.
There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Pokegama Lake RV Park & Golf and Pokegama Shores RV Resort are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 12, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Pokegama Lake
- 1,521 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Pine City
- 3 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 2.9 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at Pokegama Lake RV Park & Golf and Pokegama Shores RV Resort
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,521 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 10.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 903 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
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Pokegama Lake RV Park & Golf, Pokegama Shores RV Resort, and Pokegama RV Park
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- 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
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 24
- Game fish
- 14
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 12
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- March 4, 2024
- Latest
- May 6, 2013
- Most recent
- March 4, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Pokegama Lake RV Park & Golf, Pokegama Shores RV Resort, and Pokegama RV Park are mapped on or near Pokegama Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Pokegama Lake
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See how Pokegama Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Cross Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Pine City925 acres
4.7 miles away
Quamba Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreKanabec · Quamba226 acres
7.3 miles away
East Rush Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreChisago · Rush City1,494 acres
10.9 miles away
West Rush Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreChisago · Rush City1,594 acres
11.1 miles away
Pennington Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreKanabec · Brunswick128 acres
12 miles away
Fish Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreKanabec · Mora506 acres
13.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pokegama Lake?
Pokegama Lake is in Pine County, Minnesota, near Pine City. It covers 1,521 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pokegama Lake?
Pokegama Lake covers 1,521 acres with about 10.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pokegama Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Pokegama Lake?
Yes. Pokegama Lake has 3 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Pokegama Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pokegama 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 Pokegama Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pokegama Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Pokegama Lake?
Yes. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Pokegama Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 12, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 4, 2024 and the latest is May 6, 2013.
Can you camp at Pokegama Lake?
Yes. Pokegama Lake RV Park & Golf, Pokegama Shores RV Resort, and Pokegama RV Park are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Pokegama Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Pokegama Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.