Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Carlton County
33 surveyed bluegill lakes sit in Carlton County; the 10 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.
Hanging Horn Lake leads at grade B−, with 11.1 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2020 survey and a 9-inch fish the biggest measured. Lower (South) Island Lake is next at B−, 13.4 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2024 survey, 5% of the bluegill netted over 8 inches. Park Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 8-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanging Horn Lake | B− | 409 | 11.1/net in trap nets | 10% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2020 |
| 2 | Lower (South) Island Lake | B− | 320 | 13.4/net in trap nets | 5% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Park Lake | B− | 381 | 15/net in trap nets | 4% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Moose Lake | C+ | 133 | 30.2/net in trap nets | 1% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2009 |
| 5 | Eagle Lake | C+ | 389 | 6.2/net in trap nets | 15% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Big Lake | C+ | 526 | 10.9/net in trap nets | 0% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2020 |
| 7 | Moosehead Lake | C+ | 279 | 7/net in trap nets | 23% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2023 |
| 8 | Cole Lake | C | 142 | 17.7/net in trap nets | 2% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2016 |
| 9 | Bear Lake | C | 100 | 15.5/net in trap nets | 6% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2015 |
| 10 | Chub Lake | C− | 313 | 8.4/net in trap nets | 1% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2020 |
Also ranked in Carlton County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill 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.