Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Kanabec County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 10 lakes in Kanabec 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.
Ann Lake is first at B. The DNR caught 10 bluegill per trap net in the 2021 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Quamba Lake is second at B, with 17.9 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and 15% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. Knife Lake is third at B, and its biggest bluegill was 9 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Lake | B | 654 | 10/net in trap nets | 39% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2021 |
| 2 | Quamba Lake | B | 226 | 17.9/net in trap nets | 15% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Knife Lake | B | 1,259 | 6.6/net in trap nets | 21% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Eleven Lake | B− | 315 | 14/net in trap nets | 5% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Fish Lake | B− | 506 | 8.6/net in trap nets | 25% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Lewis Lake | C+ | 179 | 16.3/net in trap nets | 5% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2022 |
Also ranked in Kanabec County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth 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.