Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Cass County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 193 lakes in Cass County. Of those, 87 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.
Leech Lake is first at A+. The DNR caught 3.5 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 36 inches. Thirteen Lake is second at A, with 20.7 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 8% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Winnibigoshish Lake is third at A, and its biggest northern pike was 36 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leech Lake | A+ | 103,444 | 3.5/net in gill nets | 3% | 36" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Thirteen Lake | A | 555 | 20.7/net in gill nets | 8% | 37" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Winnibigoshish Lake | A | 56,471 | 2.4/net in gill nets | 3% | 36" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Sylvan Lake | A | 894 | 12.3/net in gill nets | 10% | 37" | 2.1 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Stony Lake | A | 563 | 19.6/net in gill nets | 1% | 38" | 1.4 lb | 2023 |
| 6 | Gull Lake | A | 10,010 | 3/net in gill nets | 5% | 42" | 2.9 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Pine Lake | A | 261 | 17.3/net in gill nets | 10% | 38" | 2.2 lb | 2022 |
| 8 | Webb Lake | A− | 720 | 14.7/net in gill nets | 3% | 35" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Boy Lake | A− | 3,308 | 11.8/net in gill nets | 1% | 33" | 1.3 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Ada Lake | A− | 963 | 11.1/net in gill nets | 1% | 38" | 2 lb | 2022 |
Also ranked in Cass County: Walleye · Muskellunge · 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.