Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Scott County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 17 lakes in Scott County. The 6 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.
McMahon Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 28.8 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 35 inches. Spring Lake is second at B+, with 5.9 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 13% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Lower Prior Lake is third at B+, and its biggest northern pike was 36 inches.
| # | 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 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.