Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Hennepin County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 62 lakes in Hennepin County. Of those, 20 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.
Minnetonka Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 12.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2022 survey, and the biggest was 35 inches. Medicine Lake is second at A, with 13.6 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and 15% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Eagle Lake is third at A−, and its biggest northern pike was 36 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnetonka Lake | A | 14,206 | 12.2/net in gill nets | 5% | 35" | 2.5 lb | 2022 |
| 2 | Medicine Lake | A | 924 | 13.6/net in gill nets | 15% | 36" | 2.9 lb | 2023 |
| 3 | Eagle Lake | A− | 296 | 15.7/net in gill nets | 11% | 36" | 3.5 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Sarah Lake | A− | 557 | 10.2/net in gill nets | 18% | 36" | 3.2 lb | 2022 |
| 5 | Staring Lake | B+ | 167 | 13.8/net in gill nets | 17% | 37" | 4.1 lb | 2022 |
| 6 | Whaletail Lake | B+ | 510 | 9/net in gill nets | 6% | 34" | 3.5 lb | 2021 |
| 7 | Bde Maka Ska Lake | B+ | 424 | 10.5/net in gill nets | 5% | 32" | 2.6 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Harriet Lake | B | 341 | 7.4/net in gill nets | 8% | 38" | 3.4 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Weaver Lake | B | 152 | 9.3/net in gill nets | 15% | 37" | 3.5 lb | 2023 |
| 10 | Mitchell Lake | B | 114 | 12/net in gill nets | 15% | 31" | 3.5 lb | 2021 |
Also ranked in Hennepin 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.