Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Clearwater County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 35 lakes in Clearwater County. Of those, 11 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.
Pine Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 15.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 35 inches. Long Lost Lake is second at B+, with 11.4 northern pike per gill net in the 2024 survey, and 3% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Elk Lake is third at B, and its biggest northern pike was 35 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pine Lake | A | 1,236 | 15.8/net in gill nets | 2% | 35" | 2.3 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Long Lost Lake | B+ | 539 | 11.4/net in gill nets | 3% | 32" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Elk Lake | B | 303 | 8/net in gill nets | 8% | 35" | 3.8 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Minerva Lake | B | 230 | 10.8/net in gill nets | 3% | 32" | 2.7 lb | 2016 |
| 5 | Itasca Lake | B | 1,065 | 6.9/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Rockstad Lake | B− | 142 | 12.5/net in gill nets | 3% | 31" | 2.2 lb | 2014 |
| 7 | Heart Lake | B− | 225 | 7/net in gill nets | 4% | 37" | 2.1 lb | 2013 |
| 8 | Minnow Lake | B− | 110 | 27.5/net in gill nets | 0% | 25" | 1.3 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Ozawindib Lake | B− | 159 | 5.7/net in gill nets | 15% | 36" | 2.8 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Big LaSalle Lake | B− | 235 | 7.7/net in gill nets | 4% | 32" | 1.9 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Clearwater 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.