Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Sherburne County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 22 lakes in Sherburne County. Of those, 12 earn a grade on this site, and the top 10 are ranked below. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Long Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 25.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2007 survey, and the biggest was 30 inches. Ann Lake is second at B, with 15.6 northern pike per gill net in the 2019 survey, and 1% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Birch Lake is third at B, and its biggest northern pike was 32 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | B+ | 174 | 25.2/net in gill nets | 1% | 30" | 2.1 lb | 2007 |
| 2 | Ann Lake | B | 183 | 15.6/net in gill nets | 1% | 36" | 2.5 lb | 2019 |
| 3 | Birch Lake | B | 160 | 11.8/net in gill nets | 7% | 32" | 3.1 lb | 2019 |
| 4 | Elk Lake | B | 362 | 6.7/net in gill nets | 9% | 32" | 2.9 lb | 2017 |
| 5 | Pickerel Lake | B− | 108 | 20.7/net in gill nets | 0% | 27" | 2.1 lb | 2007 |
| 6 | Elk Lake | B− | 357 | 7/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 2.6 lb | 2019 |
| 7 | Fremont Lake | C+ | 493 | 7/net in gill nets | 0% | 26" | 2.4 lb | 2008 |
| 8 | Mitchell Lake | C+ | 170 | 6.8/net in gill nets | 17% | 31" | 1.6 lb | 2019 |
| 9 | Orono Lake | C+ | 301 | — | 0% | 18" | — | 2021 |
| 10 | Big Lake | C | 254 | 9.2/net in gill nets | 0% | 26" | 1.8 lb | 2017 |
Also ranked in Sherburne 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.