Pine Lake

Pine Lake near 46.1862, -93.0764 is a lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota. Pine Lake covers about 378 acres, reaches a recorded 27 feet and holds about 6,151 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Pine Lake Affect Fishing

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

Fish and Baits at Pine Lake

Fish reported from Pine Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, bluegill, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, common shiner, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Pine Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Pine 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 Pine Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

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

Bullheads

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

Rock Bass

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

How the Seasons Change Pine Lake

Spring at Pine Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Pine Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Pine Lake

On a first trip to Pine 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.

Useful Tackle for Pine Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Pine Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Pine Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 378-acre Pine Lake?

At Pine Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 27-foot deep end of Pine Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Pine Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 6,151 acre-foot storage figure mean at Pine Lake?

At Pine Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.