Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best yellow perch lakes in Big Stone County
9 surveyed yellow perch lakes sit in Big Stone County; the 4 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.
Big Stone Lake leads at grade A+, with 199.7 yellow perch per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 11-inch fish the biggest measured. East Toqua Lake is next at B, 0% of the yellow perch netted over 9 inches. Artichoke Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 11-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 9" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Stone Lake | A+ | 11,984 | 199.7/net in gill nets | 18% | 11" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | East Toqua Lake | B | 437 | — | 0% | 11" | 0.4 lb | 2023 |
| 3 | Artichoke Lake | B− | 1,971 | 1.1/net in gill nets | 33% | 11" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Long Lake | B− | 395 | 3/net in gill nets | 38% | 10" | 0.4 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Big Stone County: Walleye · Northern pike · Crappie
All of Minnesota: Best yellow perch 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.