Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Hubbard County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 97 lakes in Hubbard County. Of those, 57 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.
Eighth Crow Wing Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 83.9 bluegill per trap net in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Grace Lake is second at A−, with 31.7 bluegill per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 6% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. Fish Hook Lake is third at A−, and its biggest bluegill was 8 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eighth Crow Wing Lake | A− | 503 | 83.9/net in trap nets | 2% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Grace Lake | A− | 860 | 31.7/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Fish Hook Lake | A− | 1,643 | 44.8/net in trap nets | 2% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Fourth Crow Wing Lake | A− | 434 | 34.6/net in trap nets | 8% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Ham Lake | A− | 194 | 96.9/net in trap nets | 3% | 8" | 0.3 lb | 2017 |
| 6 | Potato Lake | A− | 2,096 | 17.7/net in trap nets | 5% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Bad Axe Lake | B+ | 303 | 90.4/net in trap nets | 1% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2010 |
| 8 | First Crow Wing Lake | B+ | 522 | 25/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Paine Lake | B+ | 240 | 31.8/net in trap nets | 6% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2016 |
| 10 | Midge Lake | B+ | 546 | 41.3/net in trap nets | 1% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2021 |
Also ranked in Hubbard County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill 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.