Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Jackson County
11 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Jackson County; the 7 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.
Heron (South Heron) Lake leads at grade B, with 2.8 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2023 survey and a 31-inch fish the biggest measured. Clear Lake is next at B−, 7.7 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2023 survey, 0% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Round Lake rounds out the top three at C+, a 36-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | 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 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.