If you’re looking for a place to try some fishing, Pearl Lake has much to offer. Located six miles north of Kimball, it is one of the most popular fishing lakes in Stearns County. Anglers will be glad to know that walleye fingerlings have been stocked regularly in Pearl Lake. That is because natural reproduction does not occur. Walleye are stocked in alternate years. Fish stocked in 2008 should be 17 inches or larger, the minimum size that anglers are allowed to keep. Since 2009, experimental regulations provide for a 17-inch minimum size and a 3-fish daily limit. The purpose of the regulation is to maximize the value of stocked walleye. For three of the past four DNR fisheries assessments, the walleye gill-net catch has exceeded our expectations. If the angler catch is similar to the gill-net catch about 24 percent of walleye would be less than
17 inches, and need to be released.
Northern pike are plentiful and anglers could enjoy fast action. DNR net catches have generally been on the high end. The catch peaked in 2008 when the average size was less than two pounds, and only 16 percent of northern pike taken in gill nets were 24 inches or greater. Experimental regulations in place since 2009 protect all northern pike between 24 and 36 inches. This regulation provides an opportunity to harvest smaller pike while improving numbers of medium-sized fish.
Populations of other species remain strong. Sunfish, crappies and largemouth bass are plentiful and popular with anglers. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake. Anglers are reminded to clean aquatic vegetation from their boats. Pearl Lake has an exotic plant, curly leaf pondweed; but does not have Eurasian milfoil.
Pearl Lake Fishing Preview 2012
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