Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best yellow perch lakes in Grant County
The DNR has surveyed yellow perch in 8 lakes in Grant County. The 6 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.
Lower Elk Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 35 yellow perch per gill net in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Lightning Lake is second at B+, with 7 yellow perch per gill net in the 2023 survey, and 20% of its yellow perch measured over 9 inches. Pelican Lake is third at B, and its biggest yellow perch was 14 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 9" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower Elk Lake | B+ | 131 | 35/net in gill nets | 1% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Lightning Lake | B+ | 541 | 7/net in gill nets | 20% | 12" | 0.2 lb | 2023 |
| 3 | Pelican Lake | B | 3,761 | 4.2/net in gill nets | 0% | 14" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Pomme de Terre Lake | C+ | 1,816 | 5.7/net in gill nets | 0% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Elk Lake | C | 207 | 5.8/net in gill nets | 0% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2021 |
| 6 | Barrett Lake | C− | 530 | 2/net in gill nets | 0% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Grant County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill
All of Minnesota: Best yellow perch 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.