Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Beltrami County
60 surveyed largemouth bass lakes sit in Beltrami County; 32 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. The top 10 are ranked here.
Moose Lake leads at grade A−, with 56 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2021 survey and a 20-inch fish the biggest measured. Bemidji (main lake) is next at B+, 16.2 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2022 survey, 0% of the largemouth bass netted over 15 inches. Movil Lake rounds out the top three at B+, a 17-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moose Lake | A− | 601 | 56/hr in electrofishing | 16% | 20" | 0.8 lb | 2021 |
| 2 | Bemidji (main lake) | B+ | 6,596 | 16.2/hr in electrofishing | 0% | — | — | 2022 |
| 3 | Movil Lake | B+ | 855 | 39.2/hr in electrofishing | 11% | 17" | 0.8 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Turtle Lake | B+ | 1,607 | 18.9/hr in electrofishing | 38% | 19" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Sandy Lake | B | 261 | 43.4/hr in electrofishing | 28% | 18" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Beltrami Lake | B | 726 | 29.6/hr in electrofishing | 13% | 18" | 1.1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | North Twin Lake | B | 326 | 49.8/hr in electrofishing | 3% | 18" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Julia Lake | B | 511 | 33.8/hr in electrofishing | 6% | 17" | 0.7 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Turtle River Lake | B− | 1,740 | 15/hr in electrofishing | 21% | 17" | 0.8 lb | 2023 |
| 10 | Andrusia Lake | B− | 1,596 | 15.4/hr in electrofishing | 33% | 17" | 1.1 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Beltrami County: Walleye · Northern pike · Muskellunge · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best largemouth 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.