Northern pike across Minnesota
northern pike: Minnesota limits and records.
- 2 (only 1 over 40" ilimit
- 45 lb 12 ozrecord
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northern pike, statewide
Northern pike (Esox lucius) is a Minnesota fish in the DNR pike family group. The booklet row for northeast zone (north and east of u.s. hwy 53 from duluth to internati sets 2 (only 1 over 40″ in possession, all from 30-40″ must be immediately released) and runs May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027.
The record table shows 45 lb 12 oz from Basswood Lake, 1929. The DNR has recorded it in 2,286 lakes; this site has pages for 2,963. Gill nets on Sand Hill Lake caught 37.5 per net, the best among lakes here.
northern pike, per the DNR
“This voracious predator is common throughout Minnesota and one of the easiest fish to catch because it so willingly bites lures or bait.”
“Too many small pike cause problems for perch and panfish. Three-zone management beginning in spring 2018 aims to fix that.”
“Northern pike are typically olive green with short white bar-like spots on the sides and a white underbelly. The fins are reddish.”
- Northern pike (Esox lucius): horizontal rows of light round to oval spots on a dark background; five or fewer pores on each side under jaw; paired fins with more rounded tips; juveniles have white, oblique bars extending from the white belly.identification
- Northern pike are typically olive green with short white bar-like spots on the sides and a white underbelly.identification
- northernalso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
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| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone (north and east of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| North-central Zone | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Southern Zone | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Lake Superior and tributaries below posted boundaries | 2 | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Northeast Zone | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| North-central Zone | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Southern Zone | 2 (minimum size 24") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
State record northern pike
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| non certified weight | 45 lb 12 oz | Basswood Lake | Lake | 1929 |
| catch and release | 46.25 in | Mille Lacs Lake | Aitkin | 2023 |
| catch and release | 46.25 in | Basswood Lake | Lake | 2021 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Best northern pike netting on lakes with pages
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Hill Lake | 37.5 | 4.6-11.6 | 2.22 | 2017 |
| Knight Lake, Cass County | 37 | 2.26 | 1989 | |
| Becker Lake | 36.5 | 1.5-7.0 | 1.75 | 2018 |
| Wolf Lake, Meeker County | 35.5 | 1.1-8.0 | 2.17 | 2015 |
| East LaBelle Lake | 35.17 | 2.3-9.2 | 1.79 | 2025 |
| South Twin Lake, Mahnomen County | 34.44 | 2.8-9.0 | 1.24 | 2024 |
| Collinwood Lake | 34 | 1.5-7.3 | 1.66 | 2024 |
| Foss Lake | 32.5 | 3.0-9.0 | 1.48 | 2025 |
| Moran Lake, Hubbard County | 32 | 1.5-7.0 | 2.11 | 2017 |
| Winter Lake | 32 | 1.07 | 2021 | |
| Swamp Lake, Lake County | 31 | 4.0-15.0 | 0.48 | 2005 |
| Little Floyd Lake | 30.5 | 3.5-10.5 | 1.9 | 2021 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Lakes and streams holding northern pike
northern pike lakes
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Rainy Lake, St. Louis County210,200 acres
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Red Lake (Upper Red)119,294 acres
- Leech Lake103,444 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Vermilion Lake39,272 acres
- Lac la Croix29,597 acres
- Basswood Lake25,953 acres
- Namakan Lake24,066 acres
- Kabetogama Lake24,034 acres
- Saganaga Lake18,767 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Pelican Lake, St. Louis County11,546 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- Crooked Lake near Winton, St. Louis County10,360 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- Bowstring Lake9,528 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
northern pike streams
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
- Vermilion RiverSt. Louis
- Turtle RiverBeltrami
- Island RiverLake
- Mustinka RiverGrant
- Cross RiverCook
- Hay Creek, Goodhue CountyGoodhue
- Hay Creek, Pine CountyPine
- Hay Creek, Carlton CountyCarlton
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Who guides for northern pike
- Northern Drift Outfittersfishing guide (season not stated), Grand Rapids, (218) 259-8893
- Northern Lights Resortfishing guide (season not stated), Kabetogama, (218) 875-2591
Fish beside northern pike in the DNR groups
- Muskellungepike family
- Tiger muskellungepike family
Scenery a short drive from Northern pike
Photo: Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: chief_huddleston, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
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Reader questions on northern pike
How many northern pike can I keep in Minnesota?
2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) (Northeast Zone (north and east of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls), season May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027.
Does Minnesota keep a record for northern pike?
45 lb 12 oz from Basswood Lake (1929).
Which lakes did the DNR net the most northern pike in?
Sand Hill Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 37.5 per net; 2,974 waters on this site list it.
Do DNR hatcheries raise northern pike?
7 rows on the DNR area stocking pages, such as Sleepy Eye.
Which marks identify northern pike?
Northern pike (Esox lucius): horizontal rows of light round to oval spots on a dark background; five or fewer pores on each side under jaw; paired fins with more rounded tips; juveniles have white, oblique bars extending from the white bell
Can northern pike be kept in every month in Minnesota?
May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
Which Minnesota license do I need for northern pike?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who runs trips for northern pike?
2 guides list it, including Northern Drift Outfitters.
Find northern pike near your Minnesota home
Every lake named here has a page with survey catch and limits.