Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Carlton County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 25 lakes in Carlton County. The 8 ranked below are the ones that earn a grade on this site. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Chub Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 149 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2020 survey, and the biggest was 17 inches. Big Lake is second at A−, with 49.8 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2020 survey, and 40% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Moose Lake is third at B+, and its biggest largemouth bass was 18 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chub Lake | A− | 313 | 149/hr in electrofishing | 27% | 17" | 1.1 lb | 2020 |
| 2 | Big Lake | A− | 526 | 49.8/hr in electrofishing | 40% | 20" | 1.1 lb | 2020 |
| 3 | Moose Lake | B+ | 133 | 86.2/hr in electrofishing | 37% | 18" | — | 2009 |
| 4 | Cole Lake | B+ | 142 | 57.3/hr in electrofishing | 29% | 20" | 1.2 lb | 2016 |
| 5 | Echo Lake | B | 108 | 61.2/hr in electrofishing | 26% | 19" | 0.8 lb | 2021 |
| 6 | Park Lake | B | 381 | 25.5/hr in electrofishing | 31% | 19" | 1.1 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Bear Lake | C+ | 100 | 29/hr in electrofishing | 32% | 20" | 1.2 lb | 2015 |
| 8 | Little Hanging Horn Lake | C− | 114 | 19/hr in electrofishing | 33% | 17" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Carlton County: Walleye · Northern pike · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best largemouth bass 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.