Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Todd County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 45 lakes in Todd County. Of those, 28 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.
Lake Osakis is first at A. The DNR caught 5.2 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 36 inches. Long Lake is second at A, with 16.3 northern pike per gill net in the 2024 survey, and 6% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Little Birch Lake is third at A−, and its biggest northern pike was 34 inches.
| # | 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 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.