Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Jackson County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 11 lakes in Jackson County. The 7 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.
Heron (South Heron) Lake is first at B. The DNR caught 2.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 31 inches. Clear Lake is second at B−, with 7.7 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and none of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Round Lake is third at C+, and its biggest northern pike was 36 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heron (South Heron) Lake | B | 2,641 | 2.8/net in gill nets | 22% | 31" | 3.8 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Clear Lake | B− | 434 | 7.7/net in gill nets | 0% | 25" | 2.4 lb | 2023 |
| 3 | Round Lake | C+ | 930 | 2.3/net in gill nets | 15% | 36" | 3.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Flahtery Lake | C+ | 457 | — | 0% | 24" | 3.4 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Rush Lake | C+ | 243 | — | 0% | 25" | 2.8 lb | 2007 |
| 6 | Loon Lake | C | 708 | 2.3/net in gill nets | 23% | 33" | 3.9 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Timber Lake | C− | 191 | 5/net in gill nets | 0% | 24" | 1.7 lb | 2022 |
Also ranked in Jackson County: Walleye · 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.