Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Todd County
45 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Todd County; 28 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. The top 10 are ranked here.
Lake Osakis leads at grade A, with 5.2 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 36-inch fish the biggest measured. Long Lake is next at A, 16.3 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2024 survey, 6% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Little Birch Lake rounds out the top three at A−, a 34-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Osakis | A | 6,389 | 5.2/net in gill nets | 6% | 36" | 3.2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Long Lake | A | 399 | 16.3/net in gill nets | 6% | 37" | 2.8 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Little Birch Lake | A− | 839 | 11.6/net in gill nets | 4% | 34" | 3 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Big Lake | B+ | 297 | 13.5/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 1.2 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Maple Lake | B+ | 388 | 7.7/net in gill nets | 33% | 36" | 4.3 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Horseshoe Lake | B+ | 121 | 25/net in gill nets | 1% | 32" | 1.4 lb | 2019 |
| 7 | Fawn Lake | B | 125 | 28/net in gill nets | 0% | 28" | 1.8 lb | 2018 |
| 8 | Fairy Lake | B | 307 | 10/net in gill nets | 2% | 34" | 1.5 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Mary Lake | B | 129 | 13.7/net in gill nets | 4% | 33" | 2 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Big Birch Lake | B | 2,107 | 4.2/net in gill nets | 1% | 35" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Todd County: Walleye · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth 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.