Pickeral

Wright County

Near French Lake

DOW: 86028000

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 79PumpkinseedExcellent · 75BluegillGood · 58

A 20-acre lake near French Lake in Wright County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1983.

Fish Species (7)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 79

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1983	1.33	-	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per trap net · typical 0.8–5.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1983	12.00	-	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1983	8.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 58

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 6.5–59.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1983	1.33	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.90 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.3–0.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1983	0.33	-	0.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 38

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per trap net · typical 1.8–18.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1983	2.50	-	0.28 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1983	5.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 28

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.87 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1983	3.00	-	0.87 lbs	Standard gill 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.

Yellow Bullhead

Excellent · 76

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.39 lbs

Catch rate: 44.7 per trap net · typical 0.8–5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1983	31.50	-	0.36 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1983	44.67	-	0.39 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best hybrid sunfish 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)

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

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").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

August 8, 1983Northern Pike abundance (3/gill net) was about average. Four age classes (2-5) were caught. Growth was somewhat slow. Only one Largemouth Bass (age 5)…

Northern Pike abundance (3/gill net) was about average. Four age classes (2-5) were caught. Growth was somewhat slow. Only one Largemouth Bass (age 5) was caught. Bluegill numbers were low (1.3/ trap net) with only 8 and 10 year old fish caught. Large numbers of Pumpkinseed were present (8/trap net). Black Crappie numbers (5/trap net) were about average and were dominated by one and two year old fish. Growth was above average. Yellow Bullhead numbers (45/trap net) were very high. Most were over eight inches long.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Pickeral?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie in Pickeral. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Pickeral?

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

How deep is Pickeral?

Pickeral has a maximum depth of 37 feet and a mean depth of 9.3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Pickeral last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pickeral is from 1983. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Pickeral have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Pickeral?

No — Pickeral has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.