Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Carlton County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 32 lakes in Carlton County. The 10 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.
Big Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 11.9 northern pike per gill net in the 2020 survey, and the biggest was 37 inches. Park Lake is second at B, with 9.4 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 3% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Chub Lake is third at B, and its biggest northern pike was 31 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Lake | A− | 526 | 11.9/net in gill nets | 4% | 37" | 2 lb | 2020 |
| 2 | Park Lake | B | 381 | 9.4/net in gill nets | 3% | 32" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Chub Lake | B | 313 | 13.1/net in gill nets | 1% | 31" | 1.5 lb | 2020 |
| 4 | Lower (South) Island Lake | B | 320 | 8.3/net in gill nets | 4% | 33" | 2 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Hay Lake | C | 140 | 4.7/net in gill nets | 10% | 39" | 2.2 lb | 2021 |
| 6 | Moosehead Lake | C | 279 | 5/net in gill nets | 5% | 31" | 2.5 lb | 2023 |
| 7 | Cole Lake | C | 142 | 5.6/net in gill nets | 3% | 35" | 2 lb | 2016 |
| 8 | Upper (North) Island Lake | C− | 114 | 9.8/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 1.7 lb | 2021 |
| 9 | Moose Lake | C− | 133 | 9/net in gill nets | 0% | 28" | 2 lb | 2009 |
| 10 | Sand Lake | C− | 128 | 4.8/net in gill nets | 2% | 33" | 1.2 lb | 2016 |
Also ranked in Carlton County: Walleye · Largemouth 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.