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MN Fish Finder

East Pike

Cook County
Near Hovland
DOW: 16004200
Northern PikeExcellent · 91MuskellungeGood · 70Smallmouth BassGood · 50

A 554-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County — best known for pike and muskie. Last surveyed 2002.

Fish Species (5)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 91

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size
26.5"
Avg Weight
4.96 lbs

Catch rate: 3.3 per gill net · typical 0.6–2.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike65% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 35%Largest sampled 44"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20023.2526.5"4.96 lbs
Sep 7, 19992.8824.0"4.33 lbs
Sep 5, 19890.17-3.00 lbs

Muskellunge

Good · 70

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size
42.0"
Avg Weight
23.26 lbs

Catch rate: 0.12 per gill net · typical 0.2 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20020.1242.0"23.26 lbs

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size
12.2"
Avg Weight
1.19 lbs

Catch rate: 7.3 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable smallmouth bass65% keeper-size (12"+)
7–11" · 35%Largest sampled 19"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20027.2512.2"1.19 lbs
Sep 7, 19994.3811.6"1.09 lbs
Sep 5, 19896.00-1.24 lbs

Yellow Perch

Poor · 19

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size
5.0"
Avg Weight
0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.12 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20020.125.0"0.07 lbs
Sep 7, 19991.126.6"0.15 lbs
Sep 5, 19895.33-0.30 lbs
Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size
13.7"
Avg Weight
1.33 lbs

Catch rate: 1.6 per gill net · typical 0.8–5.3 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20021.6213.7"1.33 lbs
Sep 7, 19991.6218.2"2.65 lbs
Sep 5, 19891.67-1.73 lbs

Biologist Notes

August 8, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in East Pike Lake on August 8th, 2025, to evaluate the quanti…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in East Pike Lake on August 8th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 19.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 30.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 11.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.5 degrees C (49.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 1969 and 2023 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

August 8, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in East Pike Lake on August 8th, 2025, to evaluate the quanti…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in East Pike Lake on August 8th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 19.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 30.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 11.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.5 degrees C (49.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 1969 and 2023 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

August 8, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in East Pike Lake on August 8th, 2025, to evaluate the quanti…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in East Pike Lake on August 8th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 19.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 30.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 11.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.5 degrees C (49.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 1969 and 2023 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in East Pike?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in East Pike. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at East Pike?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for East Pike. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is East Pike?

East Pike has a maximum depth of 40 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in East Pike last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in East Pike is from 2002. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does East Pike have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for East Pike in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

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Lake Details

Surface Area
554.06 acres
Max Depth
40 ft
Shoreline
9.39 mi
Public Access
Not confirmed
View on DNR LakeFinder

Location

48.0789°N, 90.1169°W

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