Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Cass County
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 36 lakes in Cass County. Of those, 24 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.
Woman Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 15.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 19 inches. Thunder Lake is second at A−, with 27.5 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and 61% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Wabedo Lake is third at B+, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 18 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woman Lake | A− | 5,520 | 15.9/hr in electrofishing | 36% | 19" | 1.1 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Thunder Lake | A− | 1,347 | 27.5/hr in electrofishing | 61% | 19" | 2.3 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Wabedo Lake | B+ | 1,226 | 20.2/hr in electrofishing | 33% | 18" | 1.6 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Leech Lake | B+ | 103,444 | 4.3/hr in electrofishing | 0% | 20" | 1 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Roosevelt Lake | B+ | 1,511 | 9/hr in electrofishing | 64% | 20" | 2 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Ten Mile Lake | B+ | 5,080 | 5/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 19" | 2.1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Portage Lake | B+ | 277 | 26.3/hr in electrofishing | 20% | 18" | 0.8 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Stony Lake | B | 563 | 11.2/hr in electrofishing | 49% | 19" | 2 lb | 2023 |
| 9 | Mule Lake | B | 525 | 8.7/hr in electrofishing | 83% | 18" | 1.9 lb | 2023 |
| 10 | Little Boy Lake | B | 1,452 | — | 49% | 20" | 1.9 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Cass County: Walleye · Northern pike · Muskellunge · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth 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.