Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Washington County
36 surveyed northern pike lakes sit in Washington County; 11 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.
Forest Lake leads at grade A, with 8.7 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 36-inch fish the biggest measured. White Bear Lake is next at A, 10.9 northern pike per net in gill nets in its 2024 survey, 4% of the northern pike netted over 30 inches. Elmo 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 | Forest Lake | A | 2,271 | 8.7/net in gill nets | 13% | 36" | 3.7 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | White Bear Lake | A | 2,428 | 10.9/net in gill nets | 4% | 32" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Elmo Lake | B+ | 257 | 9/net in gill nets | 12% | 36" | 3 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Clear Lake | B | 429 | 8.7/net in gill nets | 2% | 37" | 2.6 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Jane Lake | B | 158 | 15.1/net in gill nets | 2% | 35" | 1.5 lb | 2019 |
| 6 | Big Marine Lake | B | 1,799 | 16.7/net in gill nets | 0% | 29" | 0.8 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | DeMontreville Lake | B− | 157 | 11.6/net in gill nets | 2% | 35" | 2.4 lb | 2019 |
| 8 | Bone Lake | B− | 221 | 4.1/net in gill nets | 26% | 37" | 4.1 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Big Carnelian Lake | B− | 457 | 6.5/net in gill nets | 2% | 32" | 1.2 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Square Lake | C+ | 203 | 5.8/net in gill nets | 9% | 37" | 1.6 lb | 2016 |
Also ranked in Washington 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.