Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes in Cass County
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 169 lakes in Cass County. Of those, 65 earn a grade on this site, and the top 10 are ranked below. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Portage Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 2.4 crappie per trap net in the 2021 survey, and the biggest was 13 inches. Gull Lake is second at A−, with 1.5 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 24% of its crappie measured over 10 inches. Winnibigoshish Lake is third at A−, and its biggest crappie was 13 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portage Lake | A− | 1,539 | 2.4/net in trap nets | 28% | 13" | 0.3 lb | 2021 |
| 2 | Gull Lake | A− | 10,010 | 1.5/net in trap nets | 24% | 11" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Winnibigoshish Lake | A− | 56,471 | 0.3/net in trap nets | 66% | 13" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Widow Lake | A− | 198 | 7.7/net in trap nets | 28% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2022 |
| 5 | Roosevelt Lake | B+ | 1,511 | 2.9/net in trap nets | 19% | 11" | 0.4 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Spider Lake | B+ | 145 | 7/net in trap nets | 18% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2017 |
| 7 | Woman Lake | B+ | 5,520 | 0.9/net in trap nets | 35% | 12" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Washburn Lake | B+ | 1,590 | 1.8/net in trap nets | 17% | 12" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Loon Lake | B+ | 232 | 5.9/net in trap nets | 11% | 11" | 0.4 lb | 2017 |
| 10 | Bass Lake | B+ | 278 | 6.1/net in trap nets | 2% | 11" | 0.1 lb | 2022 |
Also ranked in Cass County: Walleye · Northern pike · Muskellunge · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best crappie 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.