Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Scott County
17 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Scott County; the 6 ranked here cleared this site's grade rubric, which reads DNR survey catch rates, size structure and trophy history the same way the live map does for every lake.
McMahon Lake leads at grade A−, with 28.8 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 35-inch fish the biggest measured. Spring Lake is next at B+, 5.9 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 13% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Lower Prior Lake rounds out the top three at B+, a 36-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McMahon Lake | A− | 187 | 28.8/net in gill nets | 1% | 35" | 2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Spring Lake | B+ | 592 | 5.9/net in gill nets | 13% | 37" | 3.6 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Lower Prior Lake | B+ | 956 | 4.5/net in gill nets | 13% | 36" | 2.7 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | O'Dowd Lake | B | 301 | 8/net in gill nets | 8% | 36" | 2.8 lb | 2022 |
| 5 | Upper Prior Lake | C+ | 386 | 3.2/net in gill nets | 15% | 37" | 3.3 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Thole Lake | C− | 119 | 8.8/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 2.4 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Scott County: Walleye · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best northern pike lakes in Minnesota
Grades are this site's rubric over Minnesota DNR survey data (catch per unit effort against DNR benchmarks, size structure, trophy history). See any lake's page for the underlying numbers. Survey years vary by lake; the table shows each lake's latest.