Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Blue Earth County
13 surveyed largemouth bass lakes sit in Blue Earth County; the 5 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.
Lura Lake leads at grade A−, with 34.3 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2023 survey and a 20-inch fish the biggest measured. Madison Lake is next at B+, 22.2 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey, 23% of the largemouth bass netted over 15 inches. Ballantyne Lake rounds out the top three at B, a 19-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lura Lake | A− | 1,359 | 34.3/hr in electrofishing | 16% | 20" | 0.2 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Madison Lake | B+ | 1,447 | 22.2/hr in electrofishing | 23% | 19" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Ballantyne Lake | B | 371 | 34.2/hr in electrofishing | 21% | 19" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Duck Lake | C+ | 290 | 20.1/hr in electrofishing | 24% | 20" | — | 2025 |
| 5 | Mills Lake | C+ | 237 | — | 14% | 15" | 0.8 lb | 2007 |
Also ranked in Blue Earth County: Walleye · Northern pike · 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.