Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Pine County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 49 lakes in Pine County. The 9 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.
Oak Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 8.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 36 inches. Sturgeon Lake is second at B+, with 9.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and none of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Sand Lake is third at B, and its biggest northern pike was 29 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oak Lake | B+ | 459 | 8.8/net in gill nets | 11% | 36" | 3.1 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Sturgeon Lake | B+ | 1,706 | 9.2/net in gill nets | 0% | 28" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Sand Lake | B | 527 | 11.9/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Fish Lake | B | 185 | 7.7/net in gill nets | 14% | 36" | 4.3 lb | 2010 |
| 5 | Dago Lake | B− | 118 | 11/net in gill nets | 6% | 31" | 2 lb | 2006 |
| 6 | Pokegama Lake | B− | 1,522 | 2/net in gill nets | 17% | 36" | 4 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Cross Lake | C | 925 | 3.1/net in gill nets | 3% | 33" | 2.3 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Island Lake | C | 527 | 4/net in gill nets | 2% | 31" | 2.4 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Upper Pine Lake | C | 233 | 5.3/net in gill nets | 4% | 31" | 2.5 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Pine County: Walleye · 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.