Pleasant

This lake is located within the City of North Oaks, a gated community. North Oaks was initially the summer retreat of railroad baron James J. Hill. Most of the land surrounding the lake was developed as upscale, single family housing by the North Oaks Association, which retains ownership of the land. The immediate shoreline of the lake is owned by the St. Paul Water Utility, which uses the lake as part of the water supply system for the City of St. Paul and suburbs. Large volumes of water are pumped from the Mississippi River and flow through Pleasant on the way to water utility treatment and distribution facilities. The source of zebra mussels was believed to be via the aquifer. The presence of Eurasian water milfoil was confirmed in 2010. The water utility currently operates two hypo-limnetic type helixor aeration units in the lake into which they inject ferric choride to remove phosphorus. Pleasant Lake is a legislative fish reserve set aside for the purpose of fish propagation purposes in 1941. The lake has been closed to angling since that time. The lake's use as a source of fish for distribution to other waters outside the watershed is prohibited by DNR rules to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species present in the lake. The lake has also been used as an egg source for Muskellunge propagation. The St. Paul Water Utility pumps water for household use from the Mississippi River through Pleasant Lake and then downstream to other lakes. This pumping has transported fish that are normally riverine species into Pleasant Lake. Several species of fish common in the Mississippi - Channel Catfish, White Bass, and Silver Redhorse were noted in this system of lakes in 1992. It was believed these fish entered the lake via the water utility aquifer. Zebra mussels were confirmed present in the lake in 2007. Pleasant is regularly used as a source of display fish for use in the Minnesota State Fair live fish exhibit.

Pleasant Lake is closed to fishing by legislation. The lake has been used as a source of panfish for the children's fishing pond program. Occasionally the lake has also been used as a source of muskellunge eggs for both the pure strain and the hybrid muskellunge program. The St. Paul Water Utility uses the lake as a source of drinking water.

Pleasant Lake is closed to angling - no fishing is allowed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, White Crappie, and Smallmouth Bass in Pleasant. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Pleasant has a maximum depth of 58 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pleasant is from 2020.

Yes — Pleasant has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Pleasant. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.