Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska County)
Pickerel Lake is a deep, 100 acre glacial lake in Cold Springs Township, Kalkaska County. It is known for largemouth bass, panfish and northern pike, with walleye stocked by the DNR.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Most common gamefish in the 2023 DNR survey
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Walleye
Part of a stocking program
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground boat launchRampSoutheast corner of the lake, 13.5 miles north of Kalkaska. Parking for 15 trailers. The only public access.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska County) are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska County) ↗Local tips
- The lake drops to 72 feet, so fish the shallower edges for bass and panfish.
- Arrive early since the launch holds only about 15 trailers.
- Night-time high-speed boating is banned, so evening trips are quiet.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.