Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Polk County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 16 lakes in Polk County. The 10 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.
Maple Lake is first at A+. The DNR caught 21.7 northern pike per gill net in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 36 inches. Sand Hill Lake is second at A, with 37.5 northern pike per gill net in the 2018 survey, and 1% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Union Lake is third at A−, and its biggest northern pike was 34 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Lake | A+ | 1,641 | 21.7/net in gill nets | 5% | 36" | 2.5 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Sand Hill Lake | A | 479 | 37.5/net in gill nets | 1% | 32" | 2.2 lb | 2018 |
| 3 | Union Lake | A− | 888 | 11.9/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 2.4 lb | 2022 |
| 4 | Sarah Lake | A− | 366 | 16.8/net in gill nets | 2% | 36" | 1.7 lb | 2021 |
| 5 | Crystal Lake | B | 118 | 19/net in gill nets | 0% | 28" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Spring Lake | B | 134 | 10.8/net in gill nets | 7% | 36" | 3.3 lb | 2023 |
| 7 | Badger Lake | B | 256 | 12/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 1.6 lb | 2016 |
| 8 | Hill River Lake | B | 102 | 12.5/net in gill nets | 7% | 34" | 2.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Cross Lake | B | 320 | 7/net in gill nets | 18% | 40" | 4.1 lb | 2022 |
| 10 | Whitefish Lake | C− | 243 | 5.7/net in gill nets | 0% | 27" | 2.3 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Polk 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.