Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Becker County
14 surveyed smallmouth bass lakes sit in Becker County; the 7 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.
Bad Medicine Lake leads at grade B+, with 14.8 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2022 survey and a 19-inch fish the biggest measured. Detroit Lake is next at B, 4.5 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey, 0% of the smallmouth bass netted over 15 inches. Juggler Lake rounds out the top three at B, a 20-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bad Medicine Lake | B+ | 803 | 14.8/hr in electrofishing | 37% | 19" | 1.7 lb | 2022 |
| 2 | Detroit Lake | B | 3,067 | 4.5/hr in electrofishing | 0% | — | — | 2025 |
| 3 | Juggler Lake | B | 429 | — | 46% | 20" | 2.2 lb | 2022 |
| 4 | Strawberry Lake | B | 1,498 | — | 45% | 20" | 1.8 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Middle Cormorant Lake | B− | 373 | — | 100% | 17" | 2.8 lb | 2021 |
| 6 | Island Lake | B− | 1,180 | 3.2/hr in electrofishing | 23% | 18" | 1.2 lb | 2023 |
| 7 | Big Cormorant Lake | C | 3,657 | 0.8/hr in electrofishing | 26% | 19" | 1 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Becker 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.