Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Clearwater County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 28 lakes in Clearwater County. Of those, 11 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.
Elk Lake is first at B−. The DNR caught 50.7 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 17 inches. Minerva Lake is second at B−. 53% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Pickerel 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 | Elk Lake | B− | 303 | 50.7/hr in electrofishing | 2% | 17" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Minerva Lake | B− | 230 | — | 53% | 19" | 2.1 lb | 2016 |
| 3 | Pickerel Lake | B− | 143 | — | 9% | 18" | 1 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Heart Lake | B− | 225 | — | 5% | 17" | 0.7 lb | 2013 |
| 5 | Itasca Lake | B− | 1,065 | — | 50% | 17" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Long Lost Lake | C+ | 539 | — | 13% | 16" | 1.1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Ozawindib Lake | C+ | 159 | 29.1/hr in electrofishing | 11% | 19" | 0.7 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Rockstad Lake | C+ | 142 | — | 0% | 14" | 1.5 lb | 2014 |
| 9 | Pine Lake | C+ | 1,236 | — | 0% | 14" | 1.6 lb | 2023 |
| 10 | Long Lake | C+ | 159 | — | 0% | 14" | 0.4 lb | 2022 |
Also ranked in Clearwater 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.