Pickerel

Cass County

Near Hackensack

DOW: 11035200

Yellow PerchGood · 66PumpkinseedGood · 62BluegillGood · 54

A 66-acre lake near Hackensack in Cass County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1967.

Fish Species (6)

Yellow Perch

Good · 66

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 14.0 per gill net · typical 1.9–19.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 28, 1967	10.67	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 28, 1967	14.00	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 62

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 8.7 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 28, 1967	2.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 28, 1967	8.67	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 54

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per trap net · typical 2.9–41.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 28, 1967	0.67	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 28, 1967	0.50	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 52

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.53 lbs

Catch rate: 10.0 per gill net · typical 2.7–9.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 28, 1967	10.00	-	1.53 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 28, 1967	5.00	-	0.49 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.80 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.4–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 28, 1967	0.33	-	1.80 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 61

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.57 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 28, 1967	2.00	-	1.57 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 28, 1967	0.33	-	2.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 28, 1967Pickerel Lake is located five miles northeast of Backus in central Cass County. Pickerel Lake is 57 acres, has 1.8 miles of shoreline and a maximum de…

Pickerel Lake is located five miles northeast of Backus in central Cass County. Pickerel Lake is 57 acres, has 1.8 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 18 feet. Shoal water soils are 95 percent sand, 3 percent silt, and 2 percent gravel. Secchi reading was 8.5 feet. Total alkalinity was 142.5 p.p.m. Several emergent and submerged aquatic plants were present and the denisty rating was sparse to scattered for all species except Chara.Test netting indicated a good fish population of northern pike, but the average individual size was only one pound. Good spawning areas exist for northern pike. Black grub (Neascus) and yellow grub (Clinostomum Marginatum) were the only parasites found. Northern pike and yellow perch had a high infection of Neascus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Pickerel?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass in Pickerel. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Pickerel?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Pickerel. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Pickerel?

Pickerel has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Pickerel last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pickerel is from 1967. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Pickerel have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Pickerel in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Pickerel?

No — Pickerel has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.