Fishing Dickinson Lake

Dickinson Lake is a unique 44-acre marl lake that fishes much differently than typical warmwater lakes due to its calcium-rich, low-productivity environment. The marl precipitate coats all vegetation and structure, creating sparse cover that makes fishing challenging but also limits fish populations to sustainable levels. Bluegill dominate the fishery at 78% of the catch, averaging 5.5 inches with 34% reaching the 6-inch harvest size, though they grow below state average with a -1.1 growth index and rarely live beyond age 5. Largemouth bass average 8.8 inches but only 7% reach the 14-inch minimum size, growing slowly due to limited forage in the sterile environment. The lake's steep contours drop quickly to three basins reaching 63-68 feet, with good oxygen to 40 feet and a thermocline between 15-30 feet. Fish hold along the sparse aquatic vegetation including clasping pondweed and water shield, around the limited wood structure, and against the clay substrate cliffs. Three adult walleye averaging 20.8 inches were captured for the first time ever, likely coming from connected Big Seven Lake where walleye are stocked. Black crappie are scarce but those present average 10.1 inches with 92% legal size. Redear sunfish were stocked from 1995-1997 and show natural reproduction but grow very poorly with a -2.4 growth index. The marsh fringe provides habitat for northern pike spawning, and DNR plans experimental walleye stocking at 50 per acre on alternating years. The lake's marl characteristics that bind phosphorus keep it crystal clear but severely limit productivity and fish growth rates across all species.