Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Lyon County
10 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Lyon County; the 4 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.
West Twin Lake leads at grade B, with 10 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2024 survey and a 32-inch fish the biggest measured. Yankton Lake is next at C+, 0% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Island Lake rounds out the top three at C, a 33-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Twin Lake | B | 220 | 10/net in gill nets | 6% | 32" | 3 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Yankton Lake | C+ | 403 | — | 0% | 26" | 3.1 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Island Lake | C | 170 | 3/net in gill nets | 39% | 33" | 5.1 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Cottonwood Lake | C | 383 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 6% | 32" | 3 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Lyon 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.