Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Freeborn County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 6 lakes in Freeborn County. The 5 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.
Pickeral Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 14.5 northern pike per gill net in the 2013 survey, and the biggest was 33 inches. Fountain Lake is second at B, with 5 northern pike per gill net in the 2024 survey, and 21% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Bear Lake is third at B, and its biggest northern pike was 28 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pickeral Lake | A− | 588 | 14.5/net in gill nets | 17% | 33" | 3.4 lb | 2013 |
| 2 | Fountain Lake | B | 522 | 5/net in gill nets | 21% | 39" | 4.4 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Bear Lake | B | 1,033 | 7/net in gill nets | 0% | 28" | 2.3 lb | 2009 |
| 4 | State Line Lake | C+ | 372 | — | 0% | 29" | 3.7 lb | 2017 |
| 5 | Freeborn Lake | C+ | 2,034 | — | 0% | 25" | 0.8 lb | 2021 |
Also ranked in Freeborn County: Crappie · 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.