Pleasant Lake
Cass County, Minnesota, near Hackensack. DNR lake ID 11038300.
Pleasant Lake is a 1,099-acre lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Hackensack. Its deepest point reaches 72 ft, and about 37% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 15.3 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the oligotrophic nutrient class. It is not on the DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill.
Buying or selling on Pleasant Lake? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 11038300 |
|---|---|
| County | Cass County, near Hackensack |
| Surface area | 1,099 acres |
| Maximum depth | 72 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 37% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 15.3 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 11.6 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 3.3 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Oligotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Clearer (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | Not on DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026) |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 15.3 ft, phosphorus 11.6 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 3.3 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Pleasant Lake rates as oligotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: clearer.
Fishing on Pleasant Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2020 (6 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 5.17 | 3.3 to 8.8 |
| Northern pike | gill | 14.17 | 2.8 to 9.0 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.45 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 2.92 | 7.0 to 46.3 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.09 | 0.6 to 3.5 |
| Black crappie | gill | 1.25 | 0.4 to 2.7 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.36 | 0.4 to 2.3 |
| Bluegill | gill | 10.25 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 8.55 | 4.4 to 49.0 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 2.58 | 0.3 to 1.4 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.36 | 0.3 to 1.3 |
| Smallmouth bass | gill | 2.25 | 0.1 to 0.9 |
| Smallmouth bass | trap | 0.09 | 0.1 to 0.9 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 1.42 | 0.8 to 6.2 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 5.5 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.09 | 1.8 to 7.8 |
| Rock bass | gill | 7.5 | 0.6 to 3.9 |
| Rock bass | trap | 1.18 | 0.5 to 2.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.25 | n/a |
Walleye catch was within the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Largemouth bass 15.0 in (2020), Walleye 26.0 in (2020), Northern pike 27.0 in (2020), Smallmouth bass 16.0 in (2020).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Tullibee (cisco), Bowfin, Greater redhorse, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
Not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means no confirmed listing, not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
Public boat access
- Pleasant Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 10 trailer spaces. 1.5 miles East of Hackensack on Cass Co. Rd. #5, then .75 mile South on Birch Lake Township Road. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Boss Lake 1.3 mi, Cass County
- Long Lake 1.4 mi, Cass County
- Poquet Lake 1.5 mi, Cass County
- Pickerel Lake 1.9 mi, Cass County
- Fish Lake 2.3 mi, Cass County
- Five Point Lake 2.7 mi, Cass County
- Ox Yoke Lake 3.1 mi, Cass County
- Larson Lake 3.1 mi, Cass County
Questions about Pleasant Lake
How deep is Pleasant Lake?
Pleasant Lake reaches a maximum depth of 72 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 37% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Pleasant Lake?
Pleasant Lake covers about 1,099 acres in Cass County, Minnesota.
How clear is Pleasant Lake?
Summer water clarity on Pleasant Lake averages 15.3 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is oligotrophic.
Does Pleasant Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
Pleasant Lake is not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means there is no confirmed listing; it is not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
What fish are in Pleasant Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass in Pleasant Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2020.
Where is the public boat access on Pleasant Lake?
Pleasant Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Pleasant Lake.
How is the walleye population on Pleasant Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1998 to 2020, walleye numbers on Pleasant Lake ran mostly within the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Pleasant Lake?
Homes on Pleasant Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Pleasant Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Pleasant Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 37% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 15.3 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Pleasant Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for Pleasant Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about Pleasant Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Cass County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2020), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.