Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Morrison County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 24 lakes in Morrison County. Of those, 15 earn a grade on this site, and the top 10 are ranked below. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Crookneck Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 22.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 33 inches. Fish Trap Lake is second at B+, with 4.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 9% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Shamineau Lake is third at B+, and its biggest northern pike was 35 inches.
| # | 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 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.