Pocket Lake
Douglas County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 7-8 AM and 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Pocket Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Pocket Lake, MN
- How big is Pocket Lake?
- How deep is Pocket Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Pocket Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Pocket Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Pocket Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Pocket Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Pocket Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Pocket Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Pocket Lake?
How big is Pocket Lake?
How deep is Pocket Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Pocket Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Bluntnose Minnow, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Spottail Shiner and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Pocket Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Pocket Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Pocket Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Pocket Lake?
Explore the Pocket 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.
What aquatic invasive species are found in Pocket Lake?
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
Pocket Lake is a 263-acre relatively shallow, productive basin located in southcentral Douglas County within the Long Prairie watershed. Mean and maximum depths are 15 and 40 feet, respectively. This lake is not highly developed and recreational pressure is minimal. A public access is located on the southwest shoreline. A popular shore fishing spot is located on the north shoreline off of County Road 4. Pocket Lake is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels, which were first confirmed in 2016. A standard lake survey was completed during summer 2022 to assess the fish community and gain updated estimates of abundance and size structure of gamefish populations. Survey results were indicative of a typical bass-panfish lake found in west-central Minnesota. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Bluegill were all abundant. The size structure of bass and pike populations were favorable. Bass exceeding 15 inches and pike exceeding 26 inches were sampled in good numbers. The largest bass measured over 18 inches and the largest pike measured just shy of 33 inches. Pike anglers are reminded that this basin falls in the North-central Zone where anglers can now keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Panfish populations on this basin tend to "stunt" and are typically dominated by small- to medium-sized individuals. In the 2022 survey, high numbers of Black Crappie and Bluegill were observed but no crappie exceeded 10 inches and very few Bluegill exceeded 8 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest these surplus smaller fish to help reduce density, increase growth rates, and improve size structure of these populations. The Walleye population in this lake typically exhibits low to moderate abundance but moderate to high size structure. Average size of the 2022 gill net sample was 17 inches and almost 2 pounds. Record-low Yellow Perch abundance was documented in 2022 and most perch sampled were small individuals. Harvestable-size perch are rare on this basin. Other species sampled in 2022 included Bowfin (dogfish), Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker. The next lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2028.
What is the average air temp for Pocket Lake?
Are there any state parks near Pocket 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 Pocket Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Mud Lake | 0.9 mi | 35 | |
| Grubb Lake | 1.1 mi | 49 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.8 mi | 12 | |
| Lake Rachel | 1.8 mi | 448 | 65 ft |
| Lake Olaf | 2.6 mi | 89 | |
| Mud Lake | 2.6 mi | 47 | |
| Grants Lake | 2.6 mi | 177 | 60 ft |
| Skoglund Slough | 2.7 mi | 111 | |
| Blackwell Lake | 2.9 mi | 307 | 42 ft |
| Lake Mary | 3.0 mi | 2,450 | 40 ft |
