Central Oak-Pine Barrens and Meadow Plain. From the intersection of County Highways A, J, and D in the city of Almond in south central Portage County, go east on County Highway D 4.5 miles, then turn north on County Highway D 4 miles to an access road which is next to a town hall. Pickerel Lake is a hard water seepage lake with a sand bottom that slopes gently to the center.
Water levels fluctuate greatly.
This condition has limited its value as a fishery due to severe winter kills during periods of low water. In summer, oxygen depletion and corresponding fish kills are not uncommon due to dense blooms of algae. While the fluctuating water inhibits the fishery, it provides ideal conditions for some specialized plants by flooding out competing plants when water is high and providing habitat when water is low. The surrounding upland is wooded with oaks of varying sizes and ages. Scattered throughout the oaks are small patches with prairie species, indicating this area was once a savanna.