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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (upper arm) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Pickerel Lake

Emmet County, Michigan · about 1,040 acres (1.6 sq mi)

44°F water, calm this morning.

Water44°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today10 mphN
Best bite3:30 pmto 5:15 pm

About Pickerel Lake

Pickerel Lake spreads over about 1,040 acres in Emmet County, Michigan.

From end to end it runs about 2.4 miles with roughly 6.7 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 590 ft above sea level. Indian River lies about 6.4 miles to the east.

Size
About 1,040 acres (1.6 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 6.7 miles
End to end
About 2.4 miles
Elevation
About 590 ft
County
Emmet County

The lake from above

1 0.5 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 7:00 am – 9:15 amsunrise
  • 3:30 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Saturday Good

  • 7:00 am – 9:15 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Expect the usual Michigan mix for a lake this size: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 44°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.

  • Good
    Walleye

    Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

  • Good
    Northern pike

    Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.

  • Slow
    Largemouth bass

    Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.

  • Good
    Yellow perch

    Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Upper arm

    The lake narrows toward the incoming river or creek; moving water carries food.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

44°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 41° / —° 10 mph N Slight Chance Rain Showers · 30% rain
Saturday 41° / 33° 10 mph NW Cloudy · 10% rain
Sunday 43° / 31° 5 mph NW Partly Sunny

Sunrise 7:35 am · sunset 5:10 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Pickerel Lake

  • Indian Riverabout 6.4 mi east
  • Petoskeyabout 8.3 mi west
  • Harbor Springsabout 9.9 mi west
  • Bay Harborabout 14 mi west

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Questions about Pickerel Lake

What fish are in Pickerel Lake?

Lakes like Pickerel Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Pickerel Lake?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Pickerel Lake?

About 1,040 acres, with about 6.7 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Pickerel Lake?

Indian River is about 6.4 miles east; Petoskey is about 8.3 miles west.

What is the water temperature at Pickerel Lake today?

The surface was about 44°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Pickerel Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

Get it on Google Play

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