Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Carlton County
25 surveyed walleye 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.
Eagle Lake leads at grade B−, with 5.1 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 23-inch fish the biggest measured. Big Lake is next at C+, 100% of the walleye netted over 20 inches. Tamarack Lake rounds out the top three at C+, a 24-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Lake | B− | 389 | 5.1/net in gill nets | 6% | 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 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.