Pike Bay Lake

How big is Pike Bay Lake?

How deep is Pike Bay Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Pike Bay Lake?

What are the closest cities to Pike Bay Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Pike Bay Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Pike Bay Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Pike Bay Lake

Are there boat launches on Pike Bay Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Pike Bay Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Pike Bay Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Pike Bay Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Pike Bay Lake?

Pike Bay Lake is located just southeast of the City of Cass Lake in northwestern Cass County. It is a 4,760 acre lake with a 95 foot maximum depth. There is a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) public access on the south side of the lake at the South Shore Campground, just off of Pike Bay Loop Road. A second USFS boat ramp on the northeast side of the lake is adequate for smaller rigs, but it tends to be very shallow at most lake levels. Pike Bay is also frequently accessed from Cass Lake by boat through the creek channel that connects the two lakes. Pike Bay supports a very limited amount of residential development along its lakeshore, including one resort and a campground. A large, beautiful lake, Pike Bay lies within the boundaries of both the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Leech Lake tribal code allows band members to harvest fish through subsistence netting or by other means of harvest. The DNR manages the lake for walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, and yellow perch.

The outlet of Pike Bay flows north under U.S. Highway 2 and into Cass Lake through a short section of stream channel. Water levels in the Cass Lake system are influenced by the operation of Knutson Dam, located on the Mississippi River at the outlet of Cass Lake. Typical of reservoir operations, water levels are drawn down through the fall and winter in anticipation of annual run-off. As water levels rise in spring, lake basins of both Pike Bay and Cass Lake fill simultaneously, temporarily altering flow patterns between the two lakes. This unusual flow pattern could affect the normal interchange of fish between lakes. It is unknown how this phenomenon affects the walleye population in Pike Bay, but that population does appear to function separately from the rest of the Cass Lake Chain.

The Pike Bay walleye population has a long history of poor natural recruitment and has been maintained by both fry and fingerling stocking. Stocking has been done cooperatively by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and MNDNR. Fingerling stocking intensity was increased recently, and an evaluation is currently in progress.

The 2009 assessment showed no measurable difference in walleye abundance from the previous assessment in 2004. With the exception of a single assessment in 1999, gill net catch has never been greater than in the past two assessments. Walleye captured in 2009 ranged from 7 to 27 inches in length and were represented by ten different year classes. Growth rates are above average. At age-3, an average Pike Bay walleye is 12.6 inches long which is greater than the Bemidji area lake class mean value of 11.6 inches.

The northern pike population appears to be very stable in Pike Bay, as indicated by the 2009 gill net catch rate which was similar to that of the previous nine assessments. Northern pike from the 2009 sample ranged from 12 to 36 inches in length. Seven different year classes were identified, with age-2 and age-3 fish comprising 72% of the sample.

A single muskellunge was captured in the 2009 assessment, and only seven muskellunge have been captured in all population assessments combined. Standard population assessments are a poor indicator of muskellunge abundance, but Pike Bay is known to be an excellent muskellunge fishery. Angler reports and tournament information confirm that anglers do target muskellunge in Pike Bay with success. Anglers should remember that muskellunge harvest restrictions on Pike Bay now fall under the statewide 48 inch minimum length regulation.

Yellow perch abundance over the past nine assessments has been better than what is considered typical for this type of lake. Recruitment appears to be consistently good, indicated by the 2009 yellow perch sample which exhibited a wide range of lengths, with twenty-five percent greater than eight inches. Other common prey species captured at above average abundance levels were white sucker and tullibee (cisco). It does not appear that forage availability is limiting predator populations in Pike Bay.

In 2009, standard lake survey trap nets were utilized for the first time since 1994. Bluegill abundance was fairly low, and fish ranged from 4.5 to 9.5 inches in length. Bluegill recruitment appears to be inconsistent, as 89% of the trap net sample was represented by a single year class produced in 2006. Rock bass was the most abundant sunfish species in the 2009 assessment; fish up to nearly 11 inches in length were captured.

Anglers and other lake users should be aware of their role in preventing the spread of invasive species. Invasive species are plants and animals that have been introduced through human activities to a location where they do not naturally occur. Non-native species are not necessarily harmful, but when they cause ecological or economic problems, they are categorized as "invasive." Minnesota's aquatic resources are threatened by a variety of aquatic invasive species. These species have a high risk of continued spread, as they are easily established and can be unknowingly transported from lake to lake by human activity. The movement of any type of equipment (boats, boat trailers, boat lifts, docks, personal watercraft, bait containers, etc.) between lakes risks potential invasive species transfer if precautions are not taken. To avoid being an accomplice to the spread of these unwanted species, people should make sure all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and dried before entering new waters. Items that are difficult to dry (livewells, baitwells, bilge areas, etc.) should be treated with scalding water or a small amount of iodine or chlorine bleach solution to kill any organisms that may be hiding there. For more information on invasive species, check the link to the DNR website at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index.html

What is the average air temp for Pike Bay Lake?

Are there any state parks near Pike Bay Lake?