Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Big Stone County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 6 lakes in Big Stone County. The 5 ranked below are the ones that earn a grade on this site. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Marsh Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 19.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 30 inches. Big Stone Lake is second at B+, with 2 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 39% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Lannon Lake is third at C+, and its biggest northern pike was 27 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marsh Lake | A− | 4,462 | 19.8/net in gill nets | 1% | 30" | 0.7 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Big Stone Lake | B+ | 11,984 | 2/net in gill nets | 39% | 39" | 5.5 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Lannon Lake | C+ | 197 | — | 0% | 27" | 4.4 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | East Toqua Lake | C+ | 437 | — | 0% | 16" | 1 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Artichoke Lake | C | 1,971 | 2.1/net in gill nets | 4% | 32" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Big Stone County: Walleye · Crappie · 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.