Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best yellow perch lakes in Aitkin County
The DNR has surveyed yellow perch in 100 lakes in Aitkin County. Of those, 32 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.
Fleming Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 100.7 yellow perch per gill net in the 2017 survey, and the biggest was 11 inches. Rock Lake is second at A, with 46 yellow perch per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 12% of its yellow perch measured over 9 inches. Big Sandy Lake is third at A−, and its biggest yellow perch was 11 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 9" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fleming Lake | A | 319 | 100.7/net in gill nets | 14% | 11" | 0.2 lb | 2017 |
| 2 | Rock Lake | A | 342 | 46/net in gill nets | 12% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Big Sandy Lake | A− | 6,125 | 5.8/net in gill nets | 32% | 11" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Aitkin Lake | A− | 659 | 16.5/net in gill nets | 12% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Round Lake | B+ | 634 | 9.8/net in gill nets | 16% | 11" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Minnewawa Lake | B+ | 2,351 | 6.2/net in gill nets | 3% | 10" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Rat Lake | B+ | 431 | 8.5/net in gill nets | 4% | 11" | 0.1 lb | 2022 |
| 8 | Pine Lake | B+ | 378 | 27.9/net in gill nets | 0% | 12" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Clear Lake | B+ | 574 | 4.3/net in gill nets | 43% | 11" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Moulton Lake | B | 258 | 8.4/net in gill nets | 10% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Aitkin County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill
All of Minnesota: Best yellow perch 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.