Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Blue Earth County
14 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Blue Earth County; the 6 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.
Lura Lake leads at grade A, with 14.2 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2023 survey and a 32-inch fish the biggest measured. Madison Lake is next at A, 7 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 26% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Ballantyne Lake rounds out the top three at C+, a 34-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lura Lake | A | 1,359 | 14.2/net in gill nets | 8% | 32" | 4 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Madison Lake | A | 1,447 | 7/net in gill nets | 26% | 39" | 5.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Ballantyne Lake | C+ | 371 | 5/net in gill nets | 6% | 34" | 3 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Duck Lake | C | 290 | 2/net in gill nets | 59% | 37" | 6 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Loon Lake | C− | 809 | 1.7/net in gill nets | 18% | 31" | 3.4 lb | 2022 |
| 6 | Crystal Lake | C− | 379 | 1.8/net in gill nets | 11% | 35" | 3.3 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Blue Earth County: Walleye · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · 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.