Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Aitkin County
The DNR has surveyed walleye in 62 lakes in Aitkin County. Of those, 31 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.
Round Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 5.1 walleye per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 27 inches. Round Lake is second at B+, with 7.2 walleye per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 10% of its walleye measured over 20 inches. Big Sandy Lake is third at B+, and its biggest walleye was 28 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round Lake | B+ | 737 | 5.1/net in gill nets | 32% | 27" | 2.4 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Round Lake | B+ | 634 | 7.2/net in gill nets | 10% | 28" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Big Sandy Lake | B+ | 6,125 | 5.7/net in gill nets | 1% | 28" | 1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Esquagamah Lake | B+ | 842 | 6.1/net in gill nets | 25% | 25" | 1.9 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Hill Lake | B+ | 794 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 37% | 29" | 2.8 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Minnewawa Lake | B+ | 2,351 | 3.2/net in gill nets | 14% | 26" | 1.5 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Farm Island Lake | B+ | 2,005 | 6.3/net in gill nets | 4% | 24" | 1.1 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Cedar Lake | B | 1,726 | 1.6/net in gill nets | 55% | 30" | 3.6 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Waukenabo Lake | B | 668 | 3.6/net in gill nets | 22% | 27" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Dam Lake | B | 598 | 2.8/net in gill nets | 22% | 29" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Aitkin County: Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best walleye 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.