Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Aitkin County
97 surveyed bluegill lakes sit in Aitkin County; 49 cleared this site's grade rubric, which reads DNR survey catch rates, size structure and trophy history the same way the live map does for every lake. The top 10 are ranked here.
Minnewawa Lake leads at grade A−, with 12.5 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2024 survey and a 9-inch fish the biggest measured. Round Lake is next at B+, 19.4 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2025 survey, 11% of the bluegill netted over 8 inches. Clear Lake rounds out the top three at B+, a 8-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnewawa Lake | A− | 2,351 | 12.5/net in trap nets | 13% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Round Lake | B+ | 634 | 19.4/net in trap nets | 11% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Clear Lake | B+ | 574 | 37.2/net in trap nets | 2% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Vanduse Lake | B+ | 240 | 21.2/net in trap nets | 35% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Round Lake | B | 554 | 15.5/net in trap nets | 9% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2022 |
| 6 | Rock Lake | B | 342 | 21.8/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Fleming Lake | B | 319 | 20.6/net in trap nets | 31% | 8" | 0.3 lb | 2017 |
| 8 | Portage Lake | B | 372 | 15/net in trap nets | 42% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Rat Lake | B | 431 | 12.9/net in trap nets | 41% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2022 |
| 10 | Big Sandy Lake | B | 6,125 | 2.6/net in trap nets | 55% | 10" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Aitkin County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill lakes in Minnesota
Grades are this site's rubric over Minnesota DNR survey data (catch per unit effort against DNR benchmarks, size structure, trophy history). See any lake's page for the underlying numbers. Survey years vary by lake; the table shows each lake's latest.