Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Lincoln County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 9 lakes in Lincoln County. The 4 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.
Shaokotan Lake is first at B. The DNR caught 3.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 33 inches. Hendricks Lake is second at B−, with 3.4 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 15% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Benton Lake is third at B−, and its biggest northern pike was 36 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaokotan Lake | B | 996 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 16% | 33" | 4.3 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Hendricks Lake | B− | 1,522 | 3.4/net in gill nets | 15% | 33" | 3.5 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Benton Lake | B− | 2,700 | 1.9/net in gill nets | 6% | 36" | 2.6 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Perch Lake | C | 246 | 5.2/net in gill nets | 9% | 32" | 3.6 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Lincoln County: Walleye · 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.