Pearl Lake

How big is Pearl Lake?

How deep is Pearl Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Pearl Lake?

What are the closest cities to Pearl Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Pearl Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Pearl Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Pearl Lake

Are there boat launches on Pearl Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Pearl Lake?

Pearl Lake is a 733-acre lake located one mile east of the City of Marty in southeastern Stearns County. It has a maximum depth of 17 feet and 70% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. In addition to Walleye and Northern Pike, Pearl Lake provides anglers with the opportunity to catch Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. A standard lake survey was conducted in 2023 to monitor changes in the fishery from the last survey completed in 2020.

Walleye have been managed through a combination of yearling and fingerling stocking since the 1940s. The catch in 2023 was three times higher than that of 2020 but identical to 2017 (when catches reached a 25 year high) and exceeded the range of expected values for lakes similar to Pearl. Walleye ranged in length from 13 to 28 inches with an average length and weight of 17 inches and 2 pounds. Nineteen percent of the Walleye collected were longer than 20 inches. Eleven year classes of Walleye were captured, with age-2 fish comprising 54% of the aged sample.

The catch rate of Northern Pike began to increase in 1992 before peaking in 2013. The catch in 2023 was higher than 2020 and above the range of expected values for the lake class. The average size also increased to 22 inches and two pounds. Northern Pike caught in 2023 ranged in length from 10 to 33 inches with 20% being longer than 24 inches and 5% being longer than 30 inches. Anglers should note that the 24- to 36-inch protected slot on Northern Pike in Pearl Lake will be discontinued starting with the 2024 fishing opener. This regulation had been in place since 2009 but failed to appreciably increase the size structure or average size of pike in the lake. Northern Pike regulations for anglers on the lake will now revert back to the statewide limits for the North-Central zone which includes a possession limit of 10 fish (not more than 2 over 26 inches, all from 22-26 inches must be immediately released).

Largemouth Bass were sampled by nighttime electrofishing during spring 2023. The catch rate of 82/hour was significantly higher than 2016 (8/hour) but similar to the Sauk Rapids Area average of 74/hour. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 8 to 18 inches with an average length of 13 inches. Angler's can expect to catch a number of medium size bass (12 - 15 inches) as 70% of the catch were in this size range.

The Bluegill catch in 2023 was much less than the 2020 survey and the long-term average. Ninety-seven Bluegill were sampled during the survey and ranged in length from three to nine inches with an average length of five inches. Nine-year classes were observed, with age 4 and older fish making up 77% of the aged sample. Growth of Bluegill is above average and reach over six inches in four years. Anglers can expect to catch a number of Bluegill over a variety of sizes. The practice of catch and release is likely a reason that we see Bluegills over eight inches. Besides Bluegill, anglers can also expect good fishing for Black Crappies. The 2023 gill net catch of Black Crappie was similar to 2020 and remained within the expected range of values for lakes similar to Pearl. Black Crappies ranged in length from five to twelve inches with an average length of ten inches. Anglers can expect good fishing for harvestable size crappies as 63% of the crappies collected were 10 inches or larger. Low lake levels from several years of below average precipitation likely contributed to light panfish catches observed in trap nets.

Yellow Perch abundance has been less than one fish per net since the 1987 survey. Only one Yellow Perch was sampled during this survey although Yellow Perch are occasionally captured while sampling for other species; however, most of them are too small to meet angler satisfaction.

Other species sampled included: Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. All additional species were sampled in low abundance except for Yellow Bullhead, which exceeded the expected range of values for similar lakes.

What is the average air temp for Pearl Lake?