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Frequently Asked Questions About Picket Lake, MN
- How big is Picket Lake?
- How deep is Picket Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Picket Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Picket Lake area?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Picket Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Picket Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Picket Lake?
How big is Picket Lake?
How deep is Picket Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Picket Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Picket Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there places to eat and drink near Picket Lake?
History & Status of the Fishery
Picket is a 316-acre lake located six miles southeast of Buyck. It is similar Beartrap, Fenske, and Mudro in the Tower area. Picket is relatively shallow and lightly bog-stained, with moderate water clarity. At the time of the 2023 survey the survey crew found the max depth to be 19 feet. Picket was thermally stratified on 7/10/2023, with a surface temperature of 70.7 F and a bottom temperature of 51.4 F. Oxygen levels sufficient for fish were present to 15 feet. Secchi visibility was 9 feet.
Lake water levels dropped about 20 years ago following the failure of a beaver dam downstream of the outlet. It is thought that the drop in lake level cut-off northern pike access to spawning habitat and allowed the walleye population to expand. The lake conditions that favor walleye recruitment over northern pike appear unchanged.
Reaching Picket requires travelling five miles of gravel road via the 477 and 200 roads off the Echo Trail. The 477 was in good shape but a high clearance vehicle is recommended. There is parking space for at least four vehicles and the access is carry-down only. Water levels were low in 2023 but the first beaver pond to the portage was floatable. The portage to Picket was in good condition.
The 2023 survey consisted of six gill net sets over two nights. Catches were dominated by walleye and white sucker, followed by northern pike and yellow perch.
Walleye catch abundance (8.7/net) was above average compared to similar lakes and past surveys of Picket. Lengths ranged from 7 to 27 inches with a mean of 14.5 inches. Walleye growth was average for the Tower area and natural reproduction was consistent.
Northern pike abundance (1.2/net) was low. Pike lengths ranged from slightly under 20 inches to 30.3 inches with a mean of 24.5 inches.
Yellow Perch numbers (1.5/net) were the lowest sampled from Picket, but above average compared to similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 6.0 to 11.5 inches with a mean of 7 inches. Most walleye stomachs were not examined but several fish were engorged on YOY yellow perch.
Two rusty crayfish were entangled in nets. This was the first time the species had been documented in Picket.
What is the average air temp for Picket Lake?
Are there any state parks near Picket Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Picket Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Picket Lake | 0.0 mi | 317 | 23 ft |
| Saltport Lake | 2.2 mi | 17 | |
| Maude Lake | 2.2 mi | 95 | 26 ft |
| Finstad Lake | 2.4 mi | 79 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.9 mi | 22 | |
| Gustafson Lake | 3.1 mi | 59 | 0 ft |
| Astrid Lake | 3.2 mi | 120 | 30 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.4 mi | 40 | |
| Pauline Lake | 3.6 mi | 63 | 25 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.6 mi | 25 |
