Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Carlton County
The DNR has surveyed walleye in 25 lakes in Carlton County. The 10 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.
Eagle Lake is first at B. The DNR caught 5.1 walleye per gill net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 23 inches. Big Lake is second at C+. 100% of its walleye measured over 20 inches. Tamarack Lake is third at C+, and its biggest walleye was 24 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Lake | B | 389 | 5.1/net in gill nets | 13% | 23" | 1.6 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Big Lake | C+ | 526 | — | 100% | 23" | 3.3 lb | 2020 |
| 3 | Tamarack Lake | C+ | 235 | 3/net in gill nets | 42% | 24" | 2.2 lb | 2021 |
| 4 | Hay Lake | C+ | 140 | 4/net in gill nets | 16% | 25" | 2.1 lb | 2021 |
| 5 | Fond du Lac Reservoir | C | 201 | 3.5/net in gill nets | 14% | 22" | 0.8 lb | 2015 |
| 6 | Hanging Horn Lake | C | 409 | 1.4/net in gill nets | 21% | 28" | 1.3 lb | 2020 |
| 7 | Moosehead Lake | C | 279 | 2.2/net in gill nets | 23% | 24" | 1.7 lb | 2023 |
| 8 | Chub Lake | C− | 313 | 1.2/net in gill nets | 71% | 25" | 3.4 lb | 2020 |
| 9 | Lower (South) Island Lake | C− | 320 | 1.7/net in gill nets | 20% | 21" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 10 | Cole Lake | C− | 142 | 1/net in gill nets | 100% | 26" | 4 lb | 2016 |
Also ranked in Carlton County: Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best walleye 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.