Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Aitkin County
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 13 lakes in Aitkin County. The 6 ranked below are the ones that earn a grade on this site. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Round Lake is first at B. The DNR caught 9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 19 inches. Farm Island Lake is second at B, with 4.3 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and 23% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Sugar Lake is third at B−, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 17 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round Lake | B | 737 | 9/hr in electrofishing | 26% | 19" | 1.3 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Farm Island Lake | B | 2,005 | 4.3/hr in electrofishing | 23% | 18" | 1.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Sugar Lake | B− | 416 | — | 100% | 17" | 2.8 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Big Sandy Lake | C+ | 6,125 | — | 33% | 15" | 1.6 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Hanging Kettle Lake | C+ | 318 | — | 0% | 14" | 1.6 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Gun Lake | C+ | 712 | — | 0% | 13" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Aitkin County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth 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.