Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes near Minneapolis
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 185 lakes within 25 miles of Minneapolis. Of those, 64 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.
Minnetonka Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 12.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2022 survey, and the biggest was 35 inches. Medicine Lake is second at A, with 13.6 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and 15% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Minnewashta Lake is third at A, and its biggest northern pike was 33 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnetonka Lake | A | 14,206 | 12.2/net in gill nets | 5% | 35" | 2.5 lb | 2022 |
| 2 | Medicine Lake | A | 924 | 13.6/net in gill nets | 15% | 36" | 2.9 lb | 2023 |
| 3 | Minnewashta Lake | A | 680 | 17.6/net in gill nets | 4% | 33" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | White Bear Lake | A | 2,428 | 10.9/net in gill nets | 4% | 32" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Peltier Lake | A− | 552 | 13.4/net in gill nets | 5% | 36" | 2.9 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Eagle Lake | A− | 296 | 15.7/net in gill nets | 11% | 36" | 3.5 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Parley Lake | A− | 258 | 17/net in gill nets | 11% | 35" | 2.8 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Sarah Lake | A− | 557 | 10.2/net in gill nets | 18% | 36" | 3.2 lb | 2022 |
| 9 | Coon Lake | A− | 1,481 | 26.5/net in gill nets | 1% | 30" | 2 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Centerville Lake | A− | 474 | 10/net in gill nets | 30% | 36" | 4.7 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked near Minneapolis: Walleye · Muskellunge · Largemouth 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.