Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Itasca County
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 73 lakes in Itasca County. Of those, 36 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.
Deer Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 50.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 20 inches. Three Island Lake is second at A, with 121.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2012 survey, and 9% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Island Lake is third at A, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 17 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deer Lake | A | 4,094 | 50.9/hr in electrofishing | 29% | 20" | 1.8 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Three Island Lake | A | 250 | 121.9/hr in electrofishing | 9% | 20" | 1.7 lb | 2012 |
| 3 | Island Lake | A | 3,108 | 63.2/hr in electrofishing | 21% | 17" | 1.2 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Pokegama Lake | A− | 6,721 | 17/hr in electrofishing | 67% | 18" | 2.4 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Turtle Lake | A− | 2,126 | 19.9/hr in electrofishing | 51% | 20" | 2.5 lb | 2017 |
| 6 | Hatch Lake | A− | 226 | 54.2/hr in electrofishing | 64% | 19" | 2.7 lb | 2013 |
| 7 | Spider Lake | B+ | 1,393 | 9.3/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 18" | 1.5 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Deer Lake | B+ | 1,855 | 6.3/hr in electrofishing | 75% | 19" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Bass Lake | B | 122 | — | 50% | 20" | 1.8 lb | 2020 |
| 10 | Trout Lake | B | 1,862 | — | 60% | 20" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Itasca 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.