Minnesota DNR — Aquatic Invasive Species ↗
Statewide AIS reporting, inspection schedules, and the official list of infested waters.
Curated references
Resources for cabin owners.
The agencies the association works with, plus the references the board relies on for AIS, water quality, fishing, recreation, and forest health. Every link here has been used by the board at some point — this is the short list, not a directory dump.
Who to call
Agency partners
These are the agencies the association works with directly. Members can reach out to any of them without going through the board.
West Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District ↗
The SWCD serving Maine Township. Shoreline restoration cost-share, water-quality grants, and AIS detector training for cabin owners.
Otter Tail County Sheriff — Water Patrol ↗
Boat safety, watercraft inspections, and on-water emergencies. Call 911 for emergencies.
RMB Environmental Laboratories ↗
Pickerel's water testing partner. Historical secchi, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a readings.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ↗
Statewide water-quality data, the Minnesota Lake Water Quality Assessment, and septic guidance.
University of Minnesota Extension — Lakes & Shoreland ↗
Research-based guidance on shoreline management, water quality, invasive species, and forest health from the U of MN.
AIS
Aquatic invasive species
Pickerel is a designated infested water for zebra mussels since July 2024. Prevention now is about protecting the next lake your boat visits.
Minnesota Statute 84D.09 — full text ↗
It is a misdemeanor to transport aquatic plants or water between water bodies. Read the law.
DNR — Clean, Drain, Dispose checklist ↗
Three-step trailer routine every member should know by heart.
DNR — Identify Zebra Mussels ↗
Photos and field marks. If you find one, contact a board member and the DNR.
Report an AIS sighting (DNR) ↗
Online reporting form for new infestations or unusual sightings.
On the water
Fishing & fisheries
Pickerel is stocked with walleye and northern pike. A Minnesota fishing license is required for everyone 16 and older.
Minnesota fishing overview — species guides, how-to, and where to fish.
Minnesota fishing license — buy online ↗
Annual, 72-hour, and combination licenses available online.
Pickerel Lake — DNR LakeFinder report ↗
Stocking history, fish surveys, and lake bathymetry.
Minnesota fishing regulations handbook ↗
Season dates, limits, and special regulations.
What we measure
Water quality
Pickerel is monitored each summer with RMB Environmental Laboratories. Volunteer secchi-disk readings supplement the lab samples.
Pickerel Lake — RMB Labs data ↗
Multi-year history of secchi depth, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a.
MN Lake Water Quality Assessment ↗
Statewide context for how Pickerel compares to other Otter Tail County lakes.
Volunteer secchi monitoring (MPCA) ↗
Train as a citizen monitor and submit weekly readings.
Septic system guidance — Otter Tail County ↗
Septic compliance is the single biggest controllable factor for lake water quality. County land-resource handles permits, inspections, and the SSTS program.
Lake life
Recreation & safety
Quiet enjoyment of the lake depends on safe boating, respectful shoreline use, and looking out for each other.
Minnesota Boating Safety Course (DNR) ↗
Required for operators ages 12-17 to operate a motorboat over 25 horsepower.
Otter Tail County boat access information ↗
DNR public access locations, including the Pickerel Lake access.
Loon Watch — Audubon Minnesota ↗
Volunteer loon monitoring and shoreline stewardship resources.
The 10-year cycle
Forest tent caterpillars
Forest tent caterpillar outbreaks have hit Pickerel roughly every decade since the 1970s. The Spray Donation Escrow funds aerial spraying when populations spike.
U of MN Extension — Forest tent caterpillar ↗
Life cycle, identification, and treatment options. The reference document for the board.
Minnesota DNR — Forest health ↗
Annual forest-pest reports, including tent caterpillar outbreak years.
Missing something?
If a reference the association uses isn't on this page, email board@pickerellakemn.org and we'll add it. This list is curated by the board — not auto-generated.