Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Grant County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 9 lakes in Grant County. The 6 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.
Pelican Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 3.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 36 inches. Lightning Lake is second at B+, with 15.3 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and none of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Elk Lake is third at C+, and its biggest northern pike was 26 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pelican Lake | A− | 3,761 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 6% | 36" | 2.8 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Lightning Lake | B+ | 541 | 15.3/net in gill nets | 0% | 27" | 2 lb | 2023 |
| 3 | Elk Lake | C+ | 207 | — | 0% | 26" | 1.8 lb | 2021 |
| 4 | Barrett Lake | C | 530 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 8% | 31" | 2.4 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Pomme de Terre Lake | C− | 1,816 | 1/net in gill nets | 24% | 33" | 3.7 lb | 2023 |
| 6 | Cottonwood Lake | C− | 255 | 5.5/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 2.4 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Grant 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.