Pickerel Lake

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Pickerel Lake is a 293-acre lake located in northeast Itasca County, east of Effie, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 70 ft and is part of a navigable chain of lakes including Battle and Deer Lake. Pickerel Lake is in lake class 25 and has a public access on the west shore. Northern pike gill-net catch was 6.7/net, which was towards the upper end of the expected range for similar lakes. Gill-net catch rates in past assessments have varied from 2.5 to 6.3/net. Catch rates appear to be increasing in recent assessments. Size structure was generally poor with most fish sampled less than 24 inches. However, two larger fish were sampled which were 37 and 39 inches. Growth for ages one to five was similar to the statewide average, however the two larger fish sampled had growth rates faster than the statewide average for ages six to nine. Northern pike averaged 24 inches by age five. Bluegill trap-net catch was 11.8/net, which was within the expected range for similar lakes. The catch rate in 2004 was higher than any of the previous assessments, which have varied from 0.6 to 7.3/net. Increasing abundance of bluegill is a concern, because in many lakes as abundance increases, size structure decreases. Size structure was good with fish up to 9 inches sampled. Scales were not collected for age and growth in 2004. Angler harvest can have a negative effect on bluegill size structure in a small lake like Pickerel Lake. Research has shown that the size structure of a bluegill population is highly dependent on the size of the mature male bluegill. If these large males are overharvested, it can slow the growth rate of the remaining bluegill and ultimately reduce the potential of the lake to produce quality fish. To maintain quality size structure, anglers should consider releasing bluegill 8 inches and larger. Walleye gill-net catch was 1.3/net, which was toward the low end of the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments have been low, varying from 0.5 to 2.2/gill net. Size structure was good with walleye up to 20 inches sampled. Although Pickerel Lake is primarily a panfish lake, walleye fry are stocked every other year along with Deer and Battle Lake. Eight walleye were sampled in gill nets and 5 of 8 fish corresponded to stocked years. Growth was slower than the statewide average for ages one to four and similar to the average for ages five to seven. Walleye averaged 15 inches by age five. Black crappie trap-net catch was 2.2/net, which was within the expected range for similar lakes. Gill-net catch was 0.8/net, which was toward the low end of the expected range. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 0.6 to 1.8/trap net. Size structure was good with fish up to 12 inches sampled. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 10 inches by age five. Yellow perch gill-net catch was 8.7/gill net and was within the expected range. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 0.7 to 12.7/gill net. Although yellow perch were moderately abundant, size structure was poor with no fish larger than 8 inches sampled in gill nets. One largemouth bass was sampled in trap nets and no fish were sampled in gill nets. Catch rates in past assessments have been very low varying from 0 to 0.3/trap net. Sampled size was too low to make conclusions about size structure. Other species sampled include pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white sucker, and brown bullhead. Lakeshore owners can affect fish populations not only through harvesting fish, but also through land use practices. It is important to leave a 30 to 50 ft buffer strip of native vegetation along the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Nonfunctioning septic systems can also lead to water quality problems. Good water quality and fish populations are the direct result of good land use practices. Anglers can also help to improve the size structure of the fish community by practicing selective harvest.

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