Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Douglas County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 63 lakes in Douglas County. Of those, 39 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.
Lake Moses is first at A. The DNR caught 12.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 36 inches. Lake Darling is second at A, with 20.5 northern pike per gill net in the 2024 survey, and 4% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Mill Lake is third at A, and its biggest northern pike was 35 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Moses | A | 824 | 12.8/net in gill nets | 14% | 36" | 2.6 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Lake Darling | A | 1,050 | 20.5/net in gill nets | 4% | 32" | 2.2 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Mill Lake | A | 451 | 20.3/net in gill nets | 3% | 35" | 1.6 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Lake Ida | A− | 4,445 | 4.5/net in gill nets | 5% | 36" | 3.2 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Lake Aaron | A− | 610 | 15.7/net in gill nets | 1% | 35" | 1.2 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Lake Latoka | A− | 767 | 14.9/net in gill nets | 2% | 30" | 1.4 lb | 2022 |
| 7 | Lake Louise | B+ | 215 | 15.8/net in gill nets | 4% | 35" | 2.1 lb | 2023 |
| 8 | Lake Mary | B+ | 2,450 | 6.5/net in gill nets | 2% | 32" | 1.9 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Lobster Lake | B+ | 1,334 | 9.2/net in gill nets | 2% | 32" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Long Lake | B+ | 202 | 12.3/net in gill nets | 9% | 37" | 2.8 lb | 2019 |
Also ranked in Douglas County: Walleye · 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.