Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Aitkin County
13 surveyed smallmouth bass lakes sit in Aitkin County; the 6 ranked here 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.
Round Lake leads at grade B, with 9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey and a 19-inch fish the biggest measured. Farm Island Lake is next at B, 4.3 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey, 23% of the smallmouth bass netted over 15 inches. Sugar Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 17-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | 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 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.