Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes in Cook County
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 17 lakes in Cook County. The 8 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.
Finger Lake is first at B. The DNR caught 1.8 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 13 inches. Four Mile Lake is second at B−. 100% of its crappie measured over 10 inches. Saganaga Lake is third at C+, and its biggest crappie was 11 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finger Lake | B | 204 | 1.8/net in trap nets | 25% | 13" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Four Mile Lake | B− | 593 | — | 100% | 12" | 1.2 lb | 2021 |
| 3 | Saganaga Lake | C+ | 18,767 | — | 50% | 11" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Barker Lake | C+ | 149 | — | 0% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2018 |
| 5 | East Bearskin Lake | C+ | 593 | — | 0% | 6" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Sea Gull Lake | C | 3,958 | 0.2/net in trap nets | 14% | 12" | 0.5 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Gull Lake | C | 168 | 0.9/net in trap nets | 8% | 13" | 0.3 lb | 2017 |
| 8 | Caribou Lake | C− | 721 | 0.4/net in trap nets | 50% | 12" | 0.7 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Cook County: Walleye · Northern pike · 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.