Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes in Beltrami County
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 64 lakes in Beltrami County. Of those, 29 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 1.4 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 12 inches. Rabideau Lake is second at B+, with 3.6 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 19% of its crappie measured over 10 inches. North Twin Lake is third at B+, and its biggest crappie was 11 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Lake | A− | 3,598 | 1.4/net in trap nets | 40% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Rabideau Lake | B+ | 680 | 3.6/net in trap nets | 19% | 12" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | North Twin Lake | B+ | 326 | 5.4/net in trap nets | 51% | 11" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Pimushe Lake | B+ | 1,230 | 1.6/net in trap nets | 40% | 12" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Black Lake | B+ | 271 | 2.6/net in trap nets | 60% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2017 |
| 6 | Little Turtle Lake | B | 469 | 1.2/net in trap nets | 91% | 15" | 1.1 lb | 2021 |
| 7 | Cass Lake | B | 15,958 | 0.4/net in trap nets | 13% | 10" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Campbell Lake | B | 463 | 1.9/net in trap nets | 33% | 11" | 0.5 lb | 2021 |
| 9 | South Twin Lake | B | 222 | 2.5/net in trap nets | 34% | 11" | 0.4 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Sandy Lake | B | 261 | 2.4/net in trap nets | 6% | 13" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Beltrami County: Walleye · Northern pike · Muskellunge · Largemouth bass · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best crappie 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.