Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Ramsey County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 33 lakes in Ramsey 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.
Bald Eagle Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 6.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2022 survey, and the biggest was 33 inches. East Vadnais Lake is second at B+, with 13.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2014 survey, and 2% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Johanna Lake is third at B+, and its biggest northern pike was 37 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bald Eagle Lake | B+ | 1,049 | 6.2/net in gill nets | 8% | 33" | 3.2 lb | 2022 |
| 2 | East Vadnais Lake | B+ | 393 | 13.2/net in gill nets | 2% | 33" | 2.5 lb | 2014 |
| 3 | Johanna Lake | B+ | 212 | 10.2/net in gill nets | 11% | 37" | 2.7 lb | 2021 |
| 4 | Turtle Lake | B | 450 | 8.7/net in gill nets | 2% | 37" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Snail Lake | B | 158 | 15/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 2.2 lb | 2016 |
| 6 | Pleasant Lake | B | 607 | 6.5/net in gill nets | 3% | 30" | 2.7 lb | 2020 |
| 7 | Owasso Lake | C+ | 375 | 8.3/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 2.8 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Gervais Lake | C+ | 235 | — | 0% | 17" | 0.7 lb | 2021 |
| 9 | Phalen Lake | C | 198 | 6/net in gill nets | 7% | 31" | 2.4 lb | 2020 |
| 10 | Josephine Lake | C | 116 | 11/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 2.2 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Ramsey 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.