Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Aitkin County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 100 lakes in Aitkin County. Of those, 45 earn a grade on this site, and the top 10 are ranked below. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Rice Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 9 northern pike per gill net in the 2019 survey, and the biggest was 32 inches. Hill Lake is second at A−, with 8.3 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 8% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Elm Island Lake is third at A−, and its biggest northern pike was 34 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice Lake | A | 3,684 | 9/net in gill nets | 19% | 32" | 3.6 lb | 2019 |
| 2 | Hill Lake | A− | 794 | 8.3/net in gill nets | 8% | 41" | 2.9 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Elm Island Lake | A− | 520 | 12.6/net in gill nets | 8% | 34" | 2.8 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Minnewawa Lake | A− | 2,351 | 7.5/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 1.7 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Big Sandy Lake | A− | 6,125 | 4/net in gill nets | 2% | 37" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Sugar Lake | A− | 416 | 9.8/net in gill nets | 9% | 37" | 2 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Lone Lake | A− | 434 | 13.2/net in gill nets | 4% | 33" | 1.7 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Round Lake | B+ | 737 | 11.2/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Ripple Lake | B+ | 631 | 8.4/net in gill nets | 11% | 33" | 2.7 lb | 2023 |
| 10 | Spirit Lake | B+ | 523 | 10/net in gill nets | 5% | 35" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Aitkin County: Walleye · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best northern pike lakes in Minnesota
Grades are based on Minnesota DNR survey data: how many fish the DNR caught (scaled by lake size), how many reached quality size, and the biggest fish measured. Each lake's page has the numbers behind its grade. The table shows each lake's most recent survey year.