Pine Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in Pine Lake?

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Pine Lake is a 1,238 acre lake located three miles south of the town of Gonvick in Clearwater County. Pine Lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet and is managed as a periodic winterkill Lake. Since 1994, the operation of an aeration system has reduced the frequency and extent of winterkill events, although they may still occur in winters with a long duration of snow cover. As of this writing (March 2014), no reports of winterkill on Pine Lake have been received by the Bemidji Area Fisheries Office. A partial winterkill event occurred during the winter of 2012-13 that affected primarily bluegill, although other species were reported as part of the kill by area residents after ice out. The 2013 Pine Lake fish population assessment provided an opportunity to determine the impact to fish populations and whether any reintroduction stockings would be necessary. Fortunately, adequate numbers of fish from the primary species found in the lake were documented in the 2013 assessment. One positive aspect of partial winterkill events can be found in the resiliency of fish populations and their growth response to reduced competition. Growth rates of species such as bluegill and black crappie can increase significantly and produce large individuals in a relatively short time frame. Spawning success and survival of juvenile fish can also increase due to lower levels of predation. Pine Lake is managed primarily for walleye, bluegill, and northern pike. The lake's walleye population has been maintained through fry stocking. Since 2005, an expanding bluegill population had reduced fry stocking success through predation, so walleye numbers were low in Pine Lake prior to the 2012-13 winterkill. The 2013 walleye catch rate of 0.44 fish per gill net (0.44/GN) was an all-time low. The few walleye that were caught were large, with an average length of 23.3 inches. While the winterkill was unfortunate in the fact that it severely reduced a quality bluegill population, it may bode well for the re-establishment of a walleye fishery in Pine Lake in the near future. The 2013 bluegill catch rate was 0.36 fish per trap net (0.36/TN) and 2.44/GN. Bluegill were of quality size, with fish up to 9.25 inches present. Four year classes of bluegill were identified including three that were sexually mature. The remaining bluegill should provide adequate reproductive potential to expand the population to pre-winterkill levels. Prior to the winterkill, Pine Lake's bluegill population had good numbers of quality-size (8-inch) individuals. Pine Lake's northern pike population fared well through the winterkill, and were captured at a rate of 17.78/GN, which is greater than the normal range for lakes of this type. Northern pike up to 35.2 inches were captured in the assessment. The average size of northern pike (19.6 inches and 1.87 lbs) was similar to that of the previous assessment conducted in 2008. Thirteen percent of the northern pike catch was greater than 24 inches in length (also similar to 2008). Black crappie were also persistent through the winterkill and were captured at a rate that is typical for the type of lake and similar to 2008. Black crappie up to 11.5 inches were present in the sample, with an average size of 9.78 inches and 0.60 lbs. Two year classes of black crappie were identified in the catch. As with bluegill, the lake's black crappie population should respond with increased growth rates and reproductive success in the near future. Yellow perch numbers actually increased from 0.78 fish/gill net in 2008 to 12.56 fish/gill net in 2013. Yellow perch up to 10.7 inches were present in the sample. Although Pine Lake is not known as a quality yellow perch fishery, they are important as a prey species for walleye, northern pike and black crappie. Other species captured in the 2013 assessment were pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, white sucker, brown and yellow bullhead and common carp. Pine Lake is one of the few lakes in the Bemidji management area where common carp have been verified.