Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest October 28, 2025
Pine Lake FishingCWater-quality grade C
Minnesota DNR surveys at Pine Lake average 20.91 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated October 28, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 6–6 inches. In Aitkin County, Minnesota, Pine Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of C. Water clarity averages 6.5 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Pine Lake
13 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Pine Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Pine Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Pine Lake average 20.91 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated October 28, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 6–6 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Pine Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-10-28 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 25.29 | 0.11 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 20.91 | 1.45 lb |
| Bluegill | 10.00 | 0.18 lb |
| Walleye | 4.39 | 1.67 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Yellow Perch
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Walleye
From the 2025-10-28 survey
Pine Lake (South Pine) is a 372-acre lake in southeastern Aitkin County located eleven miles northwest of Sandstone and is within the Kettle River Watershed. Due to its connectivity with Big Pine (58-0128-00) it is managed by Hinckley Area Fisheries. The lake has a maximum depth of 28 ft and 26% of the lake is 15 feet…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Pine Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PineFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Pine (0019)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — PineFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — PinePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Pine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Pine Lake average 20.91 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated October 28, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 6–6 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 13 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Pine Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Pine Lake is dated October 28, 2025. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Pine Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Pine Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Pine Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Pine Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Pine Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Pine Lake
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