Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Cook County
237 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Cook County; 26 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. The top 10 are ranked here.
Saganaga Lake leads at grade A−, with 2 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 36-inch fish the biggest measured. Northern Light Lake is next at B+, 8.9 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2021 survey, 6% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. White Pine Lake rounds out the top three at B, a 36-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saganaga Lake | A− | 18,767 | 2/net in gill nets | 21% | 36" | 4 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Northern Light Lake | B+ | 378 | 8.9/net in gill nets | 6% | 37" | 2.8 lb | 2021 |
| 3 | White Pine Lake | B | 346 | 7.2/net in gill nets | 7% | 36" | 2.3 lb | 2022 |
| 4 | Little Cascade Lake | B | 262 | 15.5/net in gill nets | 0% | 26" | 2.8 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Clara Lake | B− | 388 | — | 14% | 34" | 2.4 lb | 2023 |
| 6 | Sea Gull Lake | B− | 3,958 | 2.1/net in gill nets | 2% | 30" | 2.4 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Christine Lake | C+ | 184 | 6.3/net in gill nets | 8% | 35" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | John Lake | C+ | 191 | 6.8/net in gill nets | 7% | 34" | 2.9 lb | 2016 |
| 9 | Little Saganaga Lake | C+ | 1,627 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 0% | 26" | 1.9 lb | 2024 |
| 10 | Gabimichigami Lake | C+ | 1,186 | 2.2/net in gill nets | 11% | 38" | 3.5 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Cook County: Walleye · Smallmouth 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.