Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 31, 2024
Species recorded at Pleasant Lake
15 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 Pleasant 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 Pleasant Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 24, 2023 caught 3.33 walleye per gill net at Pleasant Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Pleasant Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, 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
18 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-07-31 (Targeted Survey).
18 surveys on file · most recent 2024-07-31 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 23.86 | ||
| Bluegill | 14.95 | 3–9 in 2023-07-24 | 0.16 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 9.39 | 5–10 in 2023-07-24 | 0.15 lb |
| Northern Pike | 8.04 | 9–28 in 2023-07-24 | 1.32 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and 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.
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
From the 2024-07-31 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Pleasant Lake on July 31, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Pleasant Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PleasantFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Pleasant (1477)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — PleasantFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — PleasantPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Pleasant Lake?
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 24, 2023 caught 3.33 walleye per gill net at Pleasant Lake. Minnesota DNR lists 15 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 Pleasant Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Pleasant Lake is dated July 31, 2024. 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 Pleasant Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Pleasant 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.
Do the water-quality readings tell me how Pleasant Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Pleasant Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, 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
Water-quality readings are 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 with clear, low-nutrient water can still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Pleasant Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Pleasant Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Planning a trip to Pleasant Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Pleasant Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.