Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Beltrami County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 69 lakes in Beltrami 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.
Big Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 14.2 bluegill per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Big Bass (east basin) Lake is second at A−, with 77.1 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and 2% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. Balm Lake is third at B+, and its biggest bluegill was 9 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Lake | A− | 3,598 | 14.2/net in trap nets | 15% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Big Bass (east basin) Lake | A− | 337 | 77.1/net in trap nets | 2% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Balm Lake | B+ | 537 | 17/net in trap nets | 25% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Movil Lake | B+ | 855 | 13.7/net in trap nets | 12% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | South Twin Lake | B+ | 222 | 19.7/net in trap nets | 24% | 10" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | North Twin Lake | B | 326 | 17.7/net in trap nets | 16% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Pimushe Lake | B | 1,230 | 7.5/net in trap nets | 46% | 9" | 0.4 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Campbell Lake | B | 463 | 17.2/net in trap nets | 13% | 8" | 0.3 lb | 2021 |
| 9 | Cass Lake | B | 15,958 | 2.3/net in trap nets | 12% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Little Turtle Lake | B | 469 | 8.8/net in trap nets | 83% | 10" | 0.5 lb | 2021 |
Also ranked in Beltrami County: Walleye · Northern pike · Muskellunge · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill 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.