Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Aitkin County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 97 lakes in Aitkin County. Of those, 49 earn a grade on this site, and the top 10 are ranked below. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Minnewawa Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 12.5 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Round Lake is second at B+, with 19.4 bluegill per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 11% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. Clear Lake is third at B+, and its biggest bluegill was 8 inches.
| # | 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 based on Minnesota DNR survey data: how many fish the DNR caught (scaled by lake size), how many reached quality size, and the biggest fish measured. Each lake's page has the numbers behind its grade. The table shows each lake's most recent survey year.