Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes in Aitkin County
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 92 lakes in Aitkin County. Of those, 43 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.
Portage Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 16.3 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 14 inches. Big Sandy Lake is second at A−, with 1.4 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 51% of its crappie measured over 10 inches. Rock Lake is third at A−, and its biggest crappie was 12 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portage Lake | A | 372 | 16.3/net in trap nets | 2% | 14" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Big Sandy Lake | A− | 6,125 | 1.4/net in trap nets | 51% | 13" | 0.7 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Rock Lake | A− | 342 | 6.8/net in trap nets | 17% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Blind Lake | B+ | 304 | 3.7/net in trap nets | 25% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2026 |
| 5 | Section Ten Lake | B+ | 436 | 4.2/net in trap nets | 15% | 11" | 0.4 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Fleming Lake | B+ | 319 | 12.2/net in trap nets | 1% | 10" | 0.3 lb | 2017 |
| 7 | Cedar Lake | B+ | 1,726 | 1.2/net in trap nets | 13% | 13" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Waukenabo Lake | B+ | 668 | 2.8/net in trap nets | 9% | 11" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Horseshoe Lake | B+ | 240 | 4.9/net in trap nets | 8% | 11" | 0.2 lb | 2022 |
| 10 | Round Lake | B | 554 | 3/net in trap nets | 6% | 10" | 0.3 lb | 2022 |
Also ranked in Aitkin County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best crappie 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.