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Pickerel Lake

Otter Tail County - Minnesota
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pickerel Lake, MN


How big is Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake is approximately 829 sq acres (3.4 sq km) in size.

How deep is Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake is approximately 78 feet (23.8 m) at its deepest point.

What kind of fish can you catch in Pickerel Lake?
Although thery may be others but anglers can expect to find a variety of fish including Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch in Pickerel Lake.

Other fish species in the lake include White Sucker.



Are there places to stay in the Pickerel Lake area?
Are you craving a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Or maybe you're an avid angler in search of the perfect fishing spot? Look no further! Pickerel Lake and its surrounding area offer an abundance of options to suit your needs. If you're in need of accommodation, check out our area map which highlights some of the best places to stay. And if you're looking for even more options, head on over to our Travel section. But why settle for a traditional hotel or resort when you can take your adventure to the next level by renting a RV? The open road awaits you!
More Lodging Options

Are there places to eat and drink near Pickerel Lake?
Yes, you can find numerous options in the area. Click the button below to see what's nearby.

Explore the Pickerel Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.

2020 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHS
2020 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHS
33 ftSleeps 8
Parkers Prairie, MN
$130/nightMORE
2016  Big Tex 14 foot Car Hauler/Utility Trailer
2016 Big Tex 14 foot Car Hauler/Utility Trailer
14 ftSleeps 0
Audubon, MN
$45/nightMORE
2011 Coachman Freelander 27QB
2011 Coachman Freelander 27QB
28 ftSleeps 8
Garfield, MN
$200/nightMORE
2018 Jayco Redhawk
2018 Jayco Redhawk
29 ftSleeps 7
Menahga, MN
$225/nightMORE
More RV Options
What aquatic invasive species are found in Pickerel Lake?
There are some aquatic invasive species found in Pickerel Lake including zebra mussel.

Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.


History & Status of the Fishery
Pickerel Lake (829 acres) is a deep, clear lake located in central Otter Tail County. It has a maximum depth of 78 feet and 33% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand interspersed with areas of gravel/rubble. The secchi disk reading, a measure of water clarity, was 11.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 11.0 to 16.8 feet. A DNR owned concrete public access is located on the south shoreline. Heavy development exists around the entire lake. There is very little hardstem bulrush located on the lake. A wide variety of submerged aquatic plants are found in the lake. All these aquatic plants are important to Pickerel Lake because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Since 1997, the DNR has constructed and placed fifty smallmouth bass half-log spawning structures in Pickerel Lake. These spawning structures will help smallmouth bass reproduce more successfully. Pickerel Lake contains a variety of fish species. Predator fish such as northern pike are present in the lake, however; their numbers are very low. There are thriving populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass present in the lake. Adequate spawning habitat exists for these two species. Smallmouth bass ranged in length from 5.9 to 17.3 inches in length. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 6.2 to 16.1 inches. Walleye numbers increased from the previous survey, however; they are still below management goals. An ambitious walleye stocking strategy was initiated in 2000 and it should help increase the population to historic levels. The average length and weight of walleye was 16.5 inches and 1.6 pounds. Bluegill and black crappie numbers are increasing while yellow perch numbers are down. Thirty-nine percent of the bluegill were at least 7.0 inches in length. The average length and weight of black crappie was 8.5 inches and 0.4 pounds. An experimental 12-inch maximum length limit with one fish over 20 inches for both largemouth and smallmouth bass will be implemented on May 14th, 2005. The intent of the regulation is to increase the size structure of both bass species, while still allowing some harvest of smaller fish under twelve inches in length. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.

What is the average air temp for Pickerel Lake?
Looking forward to your next adventure at Pickerel Lake? Don't forget to plan ahead! Weather can be unpredictable, but we've got you covered. On average, air temperatures during this time of year range from a high around 54°F (12°C) to a low around 32°F (0°C). Of course, these are just historical averages, so be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way. For the most up-to-date weather information, be sure to check out our Weather Bar located at the top of this page.

Are there any state parks near Pickerel Lake?
Enjoy more of the outdoors with a visit to an area state park. There are 2 state parks in the vacinity of Pickerel Lake.

For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.

More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Pickerel Lake...
DISTANCE ACRES MAX DEPTH
Pickerel Lake 0.0 mi 71 73 ft
Hanson Lake 2.1 mi 46 65 ft
Long Lake 2.1 mi 99 56 ft
Donalds Lake 2.5 mi 166 43 ft
Lake Ethel 3.0 mi 190 64 ft
Portage Lake (main bay) 3.1 mi 269 49 ft
Otter Tail Lake 4.1 mi 14,074 120 ft
Buchanan Lake 4.4 mi 963 42 ft
West Leaf Lake 4.4 mi 700 55 ft
Lake Blanche 4.8 mi 1,296 64 ft
DISCLAIMER: Lake-Link Inc assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information for Pickerel Lake. Although we strive to provide the most accurate information as we can the information contained in this page is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.

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