Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Becker County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 81 lakes in Becker County. Of those, 55 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.
Big Cormorant Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 7.1 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 37 inches. Melissa Lake is second at A, with 22.7 northern pike per gill net in the 2024 survey, and 2% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Little Sugar Bush Lake is third at A, and its biggest northern pike was 38 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Cormorant Lake | A | 3,657 | 7.1/net in gill nets | 8% | 37" | 3.1 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Melissa Lake | A | 1,850 | 22.7/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 2.1 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Little Sugar Bush Lake | A | 221 | 27.5/net in gill nets | 5% | 38" | 2.2 lb | 2023 |
| 4 | Height of Land Lake | A | 3,795 | 12.7/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 1.1 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Shell Lake | A | 3,147 | 16.1/net in gill nets | 0% | 37" | 1.2 lb | 2023 |
| 6 | Rock Lake | A | 1,196 | 16.6/net in gill nets | 3% | 32" | 1.6 lb | 2023 |
| 7 | Little Cormorant Lake | A− | 1,067 | 18.9/net in gill nets | 3% | 31" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Upper Cormorant Lake | A− | 974 | 10.6/net in gill nets | 5% | 36" | 2.1 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Pearl Lake | A− | 280 | 18.7/net in gill nets | 4% | 39" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 10 | Little Floyd Lake | A− | 215 | 30.5/net in gill nets | 2% | 35" | 1.9 lb | 2021 |
Also ranked in Becker 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.