Pine Lake

How big is Pine Lake?

How deep is Pine Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Pine Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Pine Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Pine Lake?

Pine is a large, deep, clear-water lake that originally supported Lake Trout and Northern Pike as its only native gamefish species. A 1959 lake survey reported Walleye had replaced the Lake Trout, and were about to be replaced in turn by Smallmouth Bass. Lake Trout did all but disappear, but the Walleye population persisted despite the presence of what seemed to have been high numbers of Smallmouth Bass. Over the last 30 years DNR Fisheries has attempted to re-establish Lake Trout in this lake. The current (2015) lake management plan (LMP) listed Walleye as the primary management species, with Lake Trout as the secondary species, and began a limited stocking program as a last attempt to re-establish Lake Trout. Long range goals were to maintain a minimum Walleye gill net catch (in deep and shallow sets combined) of 8.0 fish/net, with some fish over 25 inches present. The goal for Lake Trout was to establish a self-sustained population supporting a minimum gill net catch (deep and shallow combined) of 0.8 fish/net.

This was the first of three surveys scheduled in the 2015 LMP to evaluate the latest round of Lake Trout stocking, and to determine whether Pine Lake supports a dwarf cisco population. Other surveys are planned for 2022 and 2028. Surveys were also needed to monitor attainment of long range goals for the Walleye population. Gill net surveys done on this lake since 1997 have been stratified on the basis of depth, with deep gill net sets targeting cold waters suitable for Lake Trout, and shallow sets targeting warmer waters; however, most earlier surveys also sampled a mix of deep and shallow habitats. All references to gill net catch in this discussion will be to the combined catch in deep and shallow sets, since that is most comparable to historic surveys, surveys of similar lakes, and to goals set in the management plan for this lake.

Although down in recent years, good numbers of Walleye remained in Pine Lake in 2016, and some larger fish were present. The 2016 Walleye gill net catch (2.50 fish/net) was the lowest seen to date in this lake, and fell well below the current long range goal. Walleye gill net catches in Pine Lake appear to have declined steadily since 1988, and have been below the goal since 2003. Although Walleye numbers were down, the 2016 catch included some larger fish, and was supported by many naturally produced year classes. No one year class stood out as having been exceptionally strong. Growth of Walleye had been somewhat faster than average at early ages. Fish reached a mean length of 15.2 inches at the end of their fourth year, compared to an area average of 14.4 inches.

Reasons for the decline in Walleye numbers were unclear. Smallmouth Bass gill net catches have been relatively high in the last three surveys, and were lowest when Walleye gill net catches were at their highest. In recent surveys Lake Whitefish gill net catches have increased as Walleye catches declined, but older surveys (1977 and 1988) found Lake Whitefish catches at their highest when Walleye catches were also at their highest. Numbers for other species (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, and Burbot) have been consistently low, with no changes associated with the change in Walleye catch. Mean weights for Walleye have been higher in recent surveys than they were when Walleye catches were higher, suggesting a reduction in the number of smaller fish present (reduced recruitment) accounted for the reduction in total Walleye catch. Catches in 1977 and 1988 included much higher numbers of 12-16-inch fish than have been seen in recent surveys.

Only two Lake Trout were taken in 2016; however, both had been produced naturally, providing the first clear evidence that Lake Trout have reproduced in this lake. A few anglers have also reported catching Lake Trout that could not be accounted for by stocking. None of the yearlings stocked in the spring of 2016 were taken in this survey. That is unusual, since recently stocked fish have typically been vulnerable to surveys done in the year of stocking. It may suggest poor survival of the 2016 stocking. The next yearling stocking is scheduled for 2019, with a final stocking to be done in 2022.

Smallmouth Bass seemed to have been abundant in Pine Lake in 2016, and were present in a wide range of sizes. The gill net catch (2.50 fish/net) was one of the higher catches seen in this lake historically, and was above normal for a lake of this type. The lake seemed to support a fairly high quality population, with most of the catch exceeding 12 inches in length. Reproductive success appeared to have been fairly consistent; ten year classes contributed to the catch, with none standing out as exceptionally strong. Smallmouth Bass growth had been about average; on average fish reached a length of 12.1 inches at the end of their sixth year, compared to an area average of 12.4 inches.

No Northern Pike were sampled in 2016, but it is likely a few were present nonetheless. Gill net catches in this lake have typically been low. Catches of Yellow Perch, White Sucker, and Burbot were low in 2016, but were typical of what's been seen in this lake in the past.

Past surveys of Pine Lake have occasionally taken a few small Cisco. This survey included the use of three small-mesh gill nets to confirm the presence of dwarf Cisco, and to get a rough idea of their abundance. The Cisco catch in those nets (55.3 fish/net) was high - well above normal compared to other catches in that gear in lakes in this area. The lack of any larger Cisco suggested this was a dwarf population. Dwarf Cisco would provide an excellent forage base for Walleye and Lake Trout, and their presence probably accounts for the good Walleye growth seen in this survey.

Lake Whitefish were abundant in Pine Lake in 2016, and could have provided some good fishing for those who could figure out how, when, and where to catch them. The Lake Whitefish gill net catch (14.92 fish/net) was well above the normal range (1.07-9.28 fish/net) for lakes of this type, and was the highest catch seen in this lake since 1997. From the length distribution it appeared that at least six year classes contributed to the 2016 catch.

Lakes above and below Pine Lake in the Royal River watershed are infested with spiny waterflea, and Pine Lake is certainly infested as well. Anglers and others leaving Pine Lake should be careful to drain all water and clean and dry all equipment used on the lake before moving to another body of waters. Lakes particularly at risk from equipment moved from Pine Lake include Long, Stump, Gadwall, and Vale.

Are there any state parks near Pine Lake?