Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Morrison County
24 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Morrison County; 15 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. The top 10 are ranked here.
Crookneck Lake leads at grade A−, with 22.2 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2023 survey and a 33-inch fish the biggest measured. Fish Trap Lake is next at B+, 4.8 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 9% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Shamineau Lake rounds out the top three at B+, a 35-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crookneck Lake | A− | 191 | 22.2/net in gill nets | 3% | 33" | 2.6 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Fish Trap Lake | B+ | 1,164 | 4.8/net in gill nets | 9% | 36" | 3.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Shamineau Lake | B+ | 1,434 | 4/net in gill nets | 8% | 35" | 2.4 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Round Lake | B | 127 | 20.9/net in gill nets | 1% | 33" | 1.3 lb | 2019 |
| 5 | Sullivan Lake | B | 1,103 | 5/net in gill nets | 2% | 37" | 1.9 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Alexander Lake | B | 2,709 | 3.1/net in gill nets | 2% | 35" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Sylvan Lake | B− | 322 | — | 3% | 32" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Pine Lake | B− | 178 | 7/net in gill nets | 13% | 33" | 2.9 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Placid Lake | C+ | 538 | — | 0% | 29" | 2 lb | 2024 |
| 10 | Stanchfield Lake | C+ | 116 | — | 0% | 20" | — | 2021 |
Also ranked in Morrison County: Walleye · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · 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.