Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Douglas County
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 20 lakes in Douglas County. The 9 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.
Lake Carlos is first at B. The DNR caught 3.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 20 inches. Lake Miltona is second at B−. 13% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Lobster 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 | Lake Carlos | B | 2,605 | 3.9/hr in electrofishing | 63% | 20" | 1.9 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Lake Miltona | B− | 5,731 | — | 13% | 18" | 0.7 lb | 2023 |
| 3 | Lobster Lake | B− | 1,334 | — | 33% | 18" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Lake Geneva | C+ | 640 | 3.1/hr in electrofishing | 0% | — | — | 2024 |
| 5 | Lake Darling | C+ | 1,050 | — | 0% | 6" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Grant Lake | C+ | 177 | — | 0% | 7" | 0.3 lb | 2022 |
| 7 | Lake Latoka | C | 767 | 2.3/hr in electrofishing | 89% | 18" | 2.2 lb | 2022 |
| 8 | Lake Ida | C | 4,445 | 1.1/hr in electrofishing | 28% | 18" | 1.3 lb | 2023 |
| 9 | Maple Lake | C | 831 | 1.3/hr in electrofishing | 60% | 18" | 2.1 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Douglas County: Walleye · Northern pike · 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.