Pine Lake, on the east side of CSAH 3, can be seen traveling either direction. The higher elevation here makes the lake somewhat 'hidden' from view which lends to a feeling of surprised delight when you turn off of CSAH3 at Big Pine Trail to explore. Big Pine Lake is connected to the Whitefish and Ossawinnamakee Chains only through creeks and streams. The Pine River flows through the northern part of the lake on its way to the Mississippi. While its' southern outlet becomes Pelican Brook which meanders to Ossawinnamakee Lake feeding that chain of lakes. The dam was built in the 1970s after residents petitioned for it. The dam in essence created Big Pine Lake, which has an average depth of seven feet when the dam is functional. After a washout, and temporary rebuild of the rock dam, landowners and Crow Wing County are seeking a more permanent solution to the rock dam.