Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Grant County
9 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Grant County; the 6 ranked here 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.
Pelican Lake leads at grade A−, with 3.8 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 36-inch fish the biggest measured. Lightning Lake is next at B+, 15.3 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2023 survey, 0% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Elk Lake rounds out the top three at C+, a 26-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | 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 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.