Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Grant County
8 surveyed bluegill lakes sit in Grant County; the 5 ranked here cleared this site's grade rubric, which reads DNR survey catch rates, size structure and trophy history the same way the live map does for every lake.
Pomme de Terre Lake leads at grade A−, with 25.3 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2023 survey and a 9-inch fish the biggest measured. Pelican Lake is next at A−, 22.8 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2025 survey, 1% of the bluegill netted over 8 inches. Elk Lake rounds out the top three at B+, a 8-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pomme de Terre Lake | A− | 1,816 | 25.3/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Pelican Lake | A− | 3,761 | 22.8/net in trap nets | 1% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Elk Lake | B+ | 207 | 106.1/net in trap nets | 1% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2021 |
| 4 | Lightning Lake | C+ | 541 | — | 0% | 5" | 0.1 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Barrett Lake | C | 530 | 3.9/net in trap nets | 36% | 9" | 0.4 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Grant County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill lakes in Minnesota
Grades are this site's rubric over Minnesota DNR survey data (catch per unit effort against DNR benchmarks, size structure, trophy history). See any lake's page for the underlying numbers. Survey years vary by lake; the table shows each lake's latest.