WI · ranked by public data

Best Northern Pike Lakes in Wisconsin, by DNR Survey System and Lake-Scale Opportunity

Aggressive, abundant, and available all year, northern pike anchor Wisconsin fishing from first ice to late fall. Over 1,500 Wisconsin lakes hold documented pike, with the biggest fish coming from large weedy basins and river-connected waters.

1,124 Wisconsin lakes have a DNR northern pike status record. 838 lakes with status, survey, or report evidence met our size and public-access criteria (286 excluded for no verified public access). Updated July 2026.

1,124lakes with northern pike

8with a DNR fishing forecast

Lake Winnebagobiggest at 131,939 acres

Vilas Countymost evidence-qualified lakes (78)

Methodology

How we rank Wisconsin northern pike lakes

Catch-per-effort ranks compare only lakes measured for the same species with the same survey phase, gear, unit, and sampled population. Final whole-lake adult-density estimates use one standardized density system. Every system with at least two eligible lakes restarts at #1; a fyke-net #1 is not claimed to beat a density #1.

Lake-scale opportunity · 55% — survey rate × documented acreage, compared only inside the same system.
Survey rate · 30% — the reported catch-per-effort value, normalized only inside its exact system.
Survey recency · 10% — newer DNR survey years receive a modest advantage inside the same system.
Species fishing report · 5% — a current report naming northern pike adds a small signal; reports for other species add nothing.
Measurement honesty — survey rate × acreage is a lake-scale opportunity index, never a literal fish count.
Eligibility gates — at least 50 official acres, verified public access, an exact lake identity, and all required comparison fields are mandatory.
Unscored context — DNR abundance labels, stocking, impairments, depth, landing count, and page completeness cannot move a numeric rank. Missing report or stocking coverage is not treated as a negative.

A lake can appear in more than one system when the DNR measured it more than one comparable way. Unsupported methods remain evidence only. Displayed score ties share a rank and use lake name only as a stable presentation order.

The evidence list

Wisconsin northern pike leaders by comparable survey system

Showing up to 25 lakes per survey system, plus an alphabetical documented-evidence section. Peer-backed systems restart at #1; singleton systems show no numeric rank.

Ranked within adult population density — ranks restart at 1
183.3system score
1,673 acres
Forest County, WI
Pine Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.68, -88.981,673 acres | 15 ft max4 public access pointsNorthern Pike, Panfish
83.3 within-system score · ~18,738 estimated adults · 11.2 fish/acre · 2003 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 83.3/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 18,738 adult northern pike (11.2 fish/acre × 1,673 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 11.2 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2003
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2003 Chapman-modified Schnabel mark-recapture survey
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)
281.4system score
1,272 acres
Forest County, WI
Pickerel Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.40, -88.911,272 acres | 19 ft max2 public access pointsNorthern Pike, Panfish
81.4 within-system score · ~9,158 estimated adults · 7.2 adult fish/acre · 2017 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 81.4/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 9,158 adult northern pike (7.2 adult fish/acre × 1,272 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 7.2 adult fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2017
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2017 spring fyke-net, electrofishing, and removal mark-recapture survey
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)
380.3system score
268 acres
Dodge County, WI
Lake Emily
enhancedDepth mapWater data
43.63, -88.97268 acres | 10 ft max1 public access pointNorthern Pike, Largemouth Bass
80.3 within-system score · ~3,672 estimated adults · 13.7 adult fish/acre · 2017 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 80.3/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 3,672 adult northern pike (13.7 adult fish/acre × 268 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 13.7 adult fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2017
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2017 Schnabel population estimate and spring fyke netting
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)
478.3system score
1,064 acres
Waupaca County, WI
White Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
44.37, -88.931,064 acres | 10 ft max2 public access pointsNorthern Pike, Walleye
78.3 within-system score · ~5,107 estimated adults · 4.8 fish/acre · 2021 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 78.3/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 5,107 adult northern pike (4.8 fish/acre × 1,064 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 4.8 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2021
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2021 mark-recapture estimate
- DNR status (unscored): Present (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)
571.1system score
135 acres
Polk County, WI
Largon Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.61, -92.20135 acres | 10 ft max1 public access pointNorthern Pike, Largemouth Bass
71.1 within-system score · ~1,472 estimated adults · 10.9 fish/acre · 2021 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 71.1/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 1,472 adult northern pike (10.9 fish/acre × 135 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 10.9 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2021
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: Schnabel mark-recapture estimate
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)
664.7system score
236 acres
Shawano County, WI
White Clay Lake
enhancedDepth mapDNR impairmentWater data
44.80, -88.40236 acres | 46 ft max1 public access pointNorthern Pike, Largemouth Bass
64.7 within-system score · ~1,180 estimated adults · 5 fish/acre · 2021 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 64.7/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 1,180 adult northern pike (5 fish/acre × 236 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 5 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2021
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2021 mark-recapture estimate
- DNR status (unscored): Present (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)
- DNR impairment (unscored context)
759.7system score
1,365 acres
Jefferson County, WI
Rock Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
43.08, -88.931,365 acres | 60 ft max5 public access pointsNorthern Pike, Largemouth Bass
59.7 within-system score · ~1,911 estimated adults · 1.4 adult fish/acre · 2022 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 59.7/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 1,911 adult northern pike (1.4 adult fish/acre × 1,365 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 1.4 adult fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2022
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: SNI Schnabel mark-recapture estimate
- DNR status (unscored): Present (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern pike)
849.4system score
3,200 acres
Dane County, WI
Lake Kegonsa
enhancedDepth mapShore accessDNR impairmentWater data
42.97, -89.253,200 acres | 32 ft max6 public access pointsNorthern Pike, Panfish
49.4 within-system score · ~2,080 estimated adults · 0.65 adult fish/acre · 2016 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 49.4/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 2,080 adult northern pike (0.65 adult fish/acre × 3,200 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 0.65 adult fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2016
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2016 spring fyke-net mark-recapture survey
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)
- DNR impairment (unscored context)
944.4system score
420 acres
Jefferson County, WI
Lake Ripley
enhancedDepth mapWater data
43.00, -88.99420 acres | 44 ft max2 public access pointsNorthern Pike, Largemouth Bass
44.4 within-system score · ~504 estimated adults · 1.2 adult fish/acre · 2023 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 44.4/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 504 adult northern pike (1.2 adult fish/acre × 420 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 1.2 adult fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2023
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: Schnabel mark-recapture estimate
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern pike)
1043.1system score
204 acres
Oneida County, WI
Booth Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.89, -89.92204 acres | 34 ft max1 public access pointNorthern Pike, Largemouth Bass
43.1 within-system score · ~551 estimated adults · 2.7 fish/acre · 2004 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 43.1/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 551 adult northern pike (2.7 fish/acre × 204 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 2.7 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2004
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2004 multi-gear northern pike mark-recapture survey
- DNR status (unscored): Present (Northern Pike)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Northern Pike)

Rank	Lake	County	Acres	System score	Primary score signal	Survey measurement	Metric year	Fishing report	DNR status	Northern Pike stocking
11	Silver Lakeimpaired	Manitowoc	73	42.2	~329 adults	4.5 adult fish/acre	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	Yes
12	Two Sisters Lake	Oneida	719	40.6	~647 adults	0.9 fish/acre	2005	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
13	Rost Lake	Oconto	99	40.0	~376 adults	3.8 adult fish/acre	2016	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
14	Pearl Lake	Waushara	101	39.7	~354 adults	3.5 fish/acre	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
15	Potato Lake	Rusk	540	33.1	~378 adults	0.7 adult fish/acre	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
16	Bear Lake	Waupaca	200	30.3	~320 adults	1.6 fish/acre	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
17	Europe Lake	Door	297	14.7	~149 adults	0.5 adult fish/acre	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
18	Lake Thompson	Oneida	401	14.4	~281 adults	0.7 fish/acre	2005	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
19	Manson Lake	Oneida	236	2.2	~78 adults	0.33 fish/acre	2006	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
Ranked within spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1	Lac Courte Oreilles	Sawyer	5,139	92.1	index 349,452	68 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
2	Franklin Lake	Forest	839	90.2	index 16,125.6	19.22 fish/net-night	2025	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
3	Nelson Lake	Sawyer	2,716	89.4	index 62,468	23 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
4	Lake Tomahimpaired	Monroe	245	84.0	index 3,675	15 fish/net-night	2025	Yes · 5% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
5	Yellow Lakeimpaired	Burnett	2,283	80.8	index 14,382.9	6.3 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
6	Lost Land Lake	Sawyer	1,264	80.6	index 8,848	7 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
7	Lake Emily	Dodge	268	78.8	index 7,370	27.5 fish/net-night	2017	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
8	Pelican Lake	Oneida	3,545	75.0	index 8,933.4	2.52 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
9	Durphee Lake	Sawyer	198	68.6	index 2,178	11 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
10	Weyauwega Lake	Waupaca	253	68.3	index 1,593.9	6.3 fish/net-night	2025	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	Yes
11	Beaver Dam Lake	Barron	1,163	67.7	index 6,280.2	5.4 fish/net-night	2013	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
12	Lake Menomin	Dunn	1,009	61.8	index 2,219.8	2.2 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
13	Shell Lake	Washburn	2,513	61.4	index 4,774.7	1.9 fish/net-night	2018	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
14	Lake Eau Galle	Dunn	360	57.9	index 1,332	3.7 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	No record	Yes
15	Silver Lakeimpaired	Manitowoc	73	56.4	index 642.4	8.8 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	Yes
16	Tainter Lake	Dunn	1,605	56.0	index 2,648.3	1.65 fish/net-night	2022	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
17	Middle McKenzie Lakeimpaired	Burnett	527	55.8	index 1,633.7	3.1 fish/net-night	2018	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
18	Pike Lake	Marathon	204	54.3	index 836.4	4.1 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
19	Lake Kegonsaimpaired	Dane	3,200	53.7	index 4,160	1.3 fish/net-night	2016	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
20	Magnor Lake	Polk	229	53.0	index 847.3	3.7 fish/net-night	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
21	Lake Noquebay	Marinette	2,398	51.5	index 3,357.2	1.4 fish/net-night	2014	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
22	Long Lakeimpaired	Manitowoc	119	51.4	index 725.9	6.1 fish/net-night	2017	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
23	Mirror Lakeimpaired	Sauk	139	48.9	index 583.8	4.2 fish/net-night	2014	Yes · 5% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
24	Pearl Lake	Waushara	101	48.6	index 555.5	5.5 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
25	Lipsett Lake	Burnett	393	43.7	index 825.3	2.1 fish/net-night	2016	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
Ranked within early spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1	Spooner Lake	Washburn	1,132	86.6	index 26,941.6	23.8 fish/net night	2022	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
2	Fox Lakeimpaired	Dodge	2,713	86.4	index 130,766.6	48.2 fish/net-night	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
3	Minong Flowage	Washburn	1,587	81.8	index 17,298.3	10.9 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
4	Bear Lake	Barron	1,348	76.1	index 8,627.2	6.4 fish/net-night	2022	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
5	Largon Lake	Polk	135	75.2	index 4,630.5	34.3 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
6	Rock Lake	Jefferson	1,365	70.9	index 5,596.5	4.1 fish/net-night	2022	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
7	Cedar Lake	Manitowoc	136	67.7	index 2,298.4	16.9 fish/net-night	2022	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
8	Pigeon Lake	Waupaca	173	63.0	index 778.5	4.5 fish/net night	2025	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	Yes
9	Hemlock Lake	Barron	364	61.1	index 2,402.4	6.6 fish/net night	2016	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
10	English Lakeimpaired	Ashland	232	55.9	index 696	3 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	No record	—
11	Hatch Lake	Waupaca	113	50.9	index 463.3	4.1 fish/net-night	2022	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
12	Amnicon Lake	Douglas	390	50.7	index 663	1.7 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
13	Beaver Dam Lakeimpaired	Dodge	6,718	48.2	index 4,030.8	0.6 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
14	Devils Lake	Sauk	374	39.1	index 336.6	0.9 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
15	Park Lake	Columbia	330	37.5	index 429	1.3 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
16	Poskin Lakeimpaired	Barron	154	36.8	index 215.6	1.4 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
17	Lower Turtle Lakeimpaired	Barron	286	31.1	index 257.4	0.9 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
18	Duck Lake	Barron	109	28.9	index 207.1	1.9 fish/net-night	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
19	Big Moon Lakeimpaired	Barron	187	23.6	index 168.3	0.9 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
20	Mission Lake	Marathon	104	14.5	index 83.2	0.8 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
T21	Balsam Lakeimpaired	Washburn	325	10.7	index 162.5	0.5 fish/net night	2016	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
T21	Elkhart Lakeimpaired	Sheboygan	292	10.7	index 75.9	0.26 fish/net night	2022	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
23	Lake Montanisimpaired	Barron	212	9.5	index 48.8	0.23 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
Ranked within late spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — ranks restart at 1
1	Middle Eau Claire Lake	Bayfield	880	91.3	index 3,520	4 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
2	Person Lake	Douglas	174	74.4	index 730.8	4.2 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
3	Lake Owen	Bayfield	1,250	69.4	index 2,625	2.1 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
4	Upper Eau Claire Lake	Bayfield	1,024	58.8	index 1,228.8	1.2 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
5	Wilson Lake	Iron	155	46.9	index 573.5	3.7 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
6	Cranberry Lake	Douglas	169	42.5	index 507	3 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
7	Fox Lakeimpaired	Dodge	2,713	28.8	index 678.3	0.25 fish/mile	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
8	Long Lakeimpaired	Manitowoc	119	21.9	index 273.7	2.3 fish/mile	2017	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
9	Devils Lake	Sauk	374	7.5	index 112.2	0.3 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
Ranked within spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — ranks restart at 1
1	Horsehead Lake	Oneida	377	73.8	index 3,204.5	8.5 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
2	Tainter Lake	Dunn	1,605	60.0	index 5,938.5	3.7 fish/mile	2022	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
3	Lake Eau Galle	Dunn	360	42.5	index 1,548	4.3 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	No record	Yes
4	Pike Lake	Marathon	204	31.3	index 1,264.8	6.2 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
5	Wilke Lake	Manitowoc	93	30.0	index 909.5	9.78 fish/mile	2018	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
Ranked within late spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1	Kelly Lake	Oconto	367	95.0	index 917.5	2.5 fish/net-night	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
2	Elkhart Lakeimpaired	Sheboygan	292	0.0	index 40.9	0.14 fish/net night	2022	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
Ranked within spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net lift) — ranks restart at 1
1	Whitefish Lake	Douglas	848	85.0	index 339.2	0.4 fish/net-lift	2005	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
2	Dead Pike Lakeimpaired	Vilas	309	40.0	index 123.6	0.4 fish/net-lift	2025	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
Comparable adult spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Europe Lake	Door	297	—	—	0.61 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
Comparable adult spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Europe Lake	Door	297	—	—	1.9 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
Comparable early spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Big Sand Lake	Burnett	1,434	—	—	3.3 fish/mile	2022	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
Comparable fall electrofishing catch per effort (fish/hour) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Beaver Dam Lakeimpaired	Dodge	6,718	—	—	1.1 fish/hour	2021	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
Comparable fall electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Beaver Dam Lakeimpaired	Dodge	6,718	—	—	0.6 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
Documented species evidence — unranked and alphabetical
—	Alder Lake	Vilas	264	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Allequash Lake	Vilas	406	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Amacoy Lakeimpaired	Rusk	283	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Amber Lake	Oneida	736	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Anderson Lake	Oconto	177	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Annabelle Lake	Vilas	194	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Antler Lake	Polk	94	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Anvil Lake	Vilas	377	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Apeekwa Lake	Vilas	206	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Northern Pike)	—
—	Apple Lake	St. Croix	110	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	Yes
—	Apple River Flowage	Polk	604	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Army Lake	Walworth	80	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Arrowhead Lake	Vilas	96	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Ashippun Lake	Waukesha	94	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Atkins Lake	Bayfield	170	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Auburn Lake	Fond du Lac	90	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Audie Lake	Rusk	110	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Augustine Lake	Ashland	171	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Auroraville Millpond	Waushara	180	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Axhandle Lake	Chippewa	86	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Bagley Flowage 1061	Marinette	245	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Balsam Lake	Polk	1,901	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—
—	Barber Lake	Sawyer	138	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Barker Lake	Sawyer	213	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Northern Pike)	—
—	Barron Flowage No. 1	Barron	52	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Northern Pike)	—

By county

Northern Pike lakes by county

Vilas County (78)

Best northern pike lakes in Vilas County →

Oneida County (73)

Best northern pike lakes in Oneida County →

Washburn County (58)

Best northern pike lakes in Washburn County →

Burnett County (57)

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Polk County (46)

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Barron County (39)

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Sawyer County (30)

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Bayfield County (28)

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Forest County (25)

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Oconto County (23)

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FAQ

Wisconsin northern pike fishing FAQ

Why can multiple survey systems have a #1?

88 lakes receive at least one peer-backed northern pike numeric rank. Distinct methods keep separate leaderboards because their values and units are not interchangeable. A numeric rank requires at least two same-system lakes, and a lake can appear in multiple systems.

How many Wisconsin lakes have northern pike?

1,124 Wisconsin lakes in this published set have a DNR northern pike status record. The list requires documented acreage and verified public or shore access. Evidence outside a valid numeric survey family stays visible but unranked.

How are the within-system scores calculated?

Lake-scale opportunity is 55%, survey rate is 30%, and survey recency is 10%, with species fishing reports at 5%. Components use only exact peers from the same comparison family. DNR abundance labels, stocking, access count, depth, and impairment remain unscored.

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Source data: Wisconsin DNR lake, stocking, and fisheries records as aggregated by LakeList. Rankings are LakeList's computed opinion from public agency data, not a DNR endorsement. Conditions and regulations change - verify access and rules before you go. Lake outlines illustrate shoreline form and are not depth or navigation charts.