Pike Lake
About Pike Lake
Pike Lake is a 488-acre lake near Hermantown in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 26 feet, and has roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 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 2019.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the township. Red Pine Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. 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 15 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Pike Lake
- 488 acres, up to 60 feet deep, near Hermantown
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 17.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Red Pine Campground
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 488 acres
- Max depth
- 60 ft
- Average depth
- 26 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 17.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 135 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 (concrete)
- Camping: Red Pine Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- 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 24
- Years of record
- 15
- Earliest
- March 25, 2012
- Latest
- May 15, 2013
- Most recent
- April 25, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Red Pine Campground is mapped on or near Pike 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 Pike Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Caribou Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Duluth539 acres
2.3 miles away
Long Lake
8 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Twig109 acres
3.4 miles away
Grand Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Twig1,665 acres
4.8 miles away
Fish Lake Flowage
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Duluth3,259 acres
5.5 miles away
Little Grand Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Saginaw176 acres
5.5 miles away
Wild Rice Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Duluth2,372 acres
5.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pike Lake?
Pike Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Hermantown. It covers 488 acres and reaches 60 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pike Lake?
Pike Lake covers 488 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 60 feet and its average depth is about 26 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pike 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 Pike Lake?
Yes. Pike Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Pike Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pike 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 Pike Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pike Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Pike Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 24, from 15 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 25, 2012 and the latest is May 15, 2013.
Can you camp at Pike Lake?
Yes. Red Pine Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Pike Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Pike Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.