Pickerel Lake

Pickerel Lake near 47.8259, -93.3589 is a lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. Pickerel Lake covers about 241 acres, reaches a recorded 70 feet and holds about 4,106 acre-feet.

What to Expect at Pickerel Lake

Pickerel Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Useful Baits at Pickerel Lake

Fish reported from Pickerel Lake include black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Pickerel Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Pickerel Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Pickerel Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Pickerel Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Pickerel Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Rock Bass

At Pickerel Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

Cisco

For other cold-water fish at Pickerel Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Pickerel Lake

On a first trip to Pickerel Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

When to Fish Pickerel Lake

Spring at Pickerel Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Pickerel Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.