Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Aitkin County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 84 lakes in Aitkin County. Of those, 40 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.
Lone Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 115 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 19 inches. Hammal Lake is second at A−, with 97.2 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2022 survey, and 11% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Dam Lake is third at A−, and its biggest largemouth bass was 19 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lone Lake | A | 434 | 115/hr in electrofishing | 8% | 19" | 0.9 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Hammal Lake | A− | 376 | 97.2/hr in electrofishing | 11% | 18" | 1 lb | 2022 |
| 3 | Dam Lake | A− | 598 | 42.1/hr in electrofishing | 27% | 19" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Long Lake | B+ | 435 | 60/hr in electrofishing | 13% | 18" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Clear Lake | B+ | 574 | 48.8/hr in electrofishing | 5% | 20" | 0.6 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Cedar Lake | B+ | 1,726 | 34.6/hr in electrofishing | 10% | 17" | 1 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Round Lake | B+ | 554 | 81.5/hr in electrofishing | 4% | 16" | 0.9 lb | 2022 |
| 8 | Wilkins Lake | B+ | 349 | 63.3/hr in electrofishing | 6% | 18" | 0.7 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Hill Lake | B+ | 794 | 19/hr in electrofishing | 64% | 21" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Sunset Lake | B+ | 221 | 76.8/hr in electrofishing | 5% | 19" | 0.8 lb | 2011 |
Also ranked in Aitkin County: Walleye · Northern pike · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best largemouth bass 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.