Pike

Pike Lake is 77 acres, has a maximum depth of 8 feet, and is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Isabella, MN. There is a 900 foot carry-in access to the southwest side of the western bay that starts at the end of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Road #1491A. There is a small parking area for two vehicles. USFS Road # 1491A begins approximately 2.4 miles north on USFS Rd. #1491 (Deep Lake Road) from State Highway 1. The 2018 standard survey was conducted to monitor the fish community in Pike Lake. The Northern Pike catch was above average compared to similar lakes in the area and was the highest catch recorded for the lake. Fifty Northern Pike were caught and had an average length of 23.8 inches with a weight of 2.9 pounds. Twenty pike were over 24 inches in length for 41% of the total catch. Growth of Northern Pike was above average and five consecutive year classes were present in the catch showing good natural reproduction. Largemouth Bass catch was above average compared to similar lakes in the Finland Area. Ten Largemouth Bass were caught in gill nets with an average size of 16.9 inches and 3.1 pounds. The biggest Largemouth Bass was 18.7 inches and 4.1 pounds. Natural reproduction success may be sporadic with noticeable gaps in year classes but growth was average for the area. Yellow Perch were sampled in average numbers relative to similar lakes in the area. This is similar to past investigations on the lake. The average length was 6.7 inches and likely not worth targeting for an angler. Black Crappie were sampled for the first time in Pike Lake in 2018. Two Black Crappie were caught and measured 5.2 inches and 8.5 inches. It is unclear how Black Crappie got into the lake and we do not know if Black Crappie have fully established a population in the lake. The 2018 survey was the first time Bluegill were sampled in the lake. It is unclear how Bluegill got into Pike Lake and if a population has fully established. A total of four Bluegill were caught in gill nets and nine more were sampled with mini trap nets. The average size of Bluegill was 6.6 inches with an individual over 9 inches sampled. White Sucker were sampled in average numbers relative to similar lakes and size averaged 18.5 inches and 2.6 pounds. Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluntnose Minnow, Golden Shiner were also sampled with the survey gear. Pike Lake has a decent Northern Pike population and can produce some quality Largemouth Bass. The Bluegill and Black Crappie populations might offer angling opportunities if the populations are able to become fully established in the lake. Angling pressure is presumed to be light due to the difficulty in getting to the lake. Pike Lake offers a scenic setting in the woods with only two cabins located along the shoreline.

Pike Lake is a small lake in the Superior National Forest near Isabella, MN. The public access to the lake is a rough logging road, then foot travel (1500 feet) on an unimproved trail.A lake survey was conducted in the summer of 2003. Species sampled were: northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and common shiner. Due to the small size of the lake a low number of gill net sets were made to prevent unnecessary loss of game fish; therefore, catch rate data may be less reliable.Northern pike were sampled in above average numbers compared to other lakes in this lake class. The fish ranged in size from 14.8 to 27.6 inches (4.0 pounds). The average weight of northern pike in the 2003 survey was 2.4 pounds.Yellow perch were sampled in fairly high numbers with fish up to 10.2 inches collected. Yellow perch of this size were unncommon, and 86% of the yellow perch ranged from 6.0 to 7.5 inches.Largemouth bass are found in Pike Lake; however, based on the 2003 survey, the status of the largemouth bass population remains uncertain. Only two largemouth bass were collected in 2003, the largest 15.7 inches (1.5 pounds). In a previous survey, a small number of largemouth bass between 18.0 inches and 19.9 inches were sampled. Largemouth bass are difficult to catch in gill nets, and low gill net catches may not be indicative of their abundance.

Pike Lake is a small (73.5 acre) shallow lake which currently supports a good population of Northern Pike in the 3-5 lb range. The largest individual sampled in test nets in 1993 was 5.2 lbs however 67% of the catch exceeded 3 lbs. Largemouth Bass are present in the lake however the low number caught during this assessment may not be a true indication of their numbers as they are a difficult species to sample with nets. Pike Lake historically has provided some quality size Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass to anglers however the difficult access limits the amount of fishing on the lake.

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

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Pike. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Pike has a maximum depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pike is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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