Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best northern pike lakes in Wright County
The DNR has surveyed northern pike in 83 lakes in Wright County. Of those, 39 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.
Sugar Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 10.3 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 38 inches. Clearwater Lake is second at A, with 9.1 northern pike per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 6% of its northern pike measured over 30 inches. Collinwood Lake is third at A−, and its biggest northern pike was 33 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 30" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sugar Lake | A | 1,014 | 10.3/net in gill nets | 10% | 38" | 2.1 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Clearwater Lake | A | 3,187 | 9.1/net in gill nets | 6% | 33" | 2.6 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Collinwood Lake | A− | 639 | 27.3/net in gill nets | 1% | 33" | 1.9 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Bass Lake | A− | 223 | 16/net in gill nets | 6% | 37" | 2.8 lb | 2017 |
| 5 | French Lake | A− | 346 | 18.5/net in gill nets | 3% | 34" | 2.8 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Waverly Lake | A− | 494 | 11.9/net in gill nets | 7% | 34" | 3.1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Cedar Lake | A− | 790 | 12.2/net in gill nets | 3% | 31" | 2.9 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Mink Lake | B+ | 280 | 10/net in gill nets | 19% | 37" | 4 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | West Lake Sylvia | B+ | 904 | 9.4/net in gill nets | 3% | 31" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Ida Lake | B+ | 226 | 17.3/net in gill nets | 3% | 32" | 1.6 lb | 2022 |
Also ranked in Wright 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.