Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Big Stone County
6 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Big Stone County; the 5 ranked here cleared this site's grade rubric, which reads DNR survey catch rates, size structure and trophy history the same way the live map does for every lake.
Marsh Lake leads at grade A−, with 19.8 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 30-inch fish the biggest measured. Big Stone Lake is next at B+, 2 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 39% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Lannon Lake rounds out the top three at C+, a 27-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | 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 this site's rubric over Minnesota DNR survey data (catch per unit effort against DNR benchmarks, size structure, trophy history). See any lake's page for the underlying numbers. Survey years vary by lake; the table shows each lake's latest.