Picken made his Bury debut, making his first start and playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Port Vale in the opening game of the season on 7 August 2010. Three weeks later on 28 August 2010, he then provided an assist for Ryan Lowe to score Bury's only goal in the game, in a 1–1 draw against Barnet. Though he became a first team regular at Bury, making thirty–eight appearances for the club, Picken suffered suspension and injuries, including a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. Despite this, Picken achieved promotion from League 2 with Bury as runners up in the league in May 2011. At the end of the 2010–11 season, Picken's contract with Bury was extended for another year.