Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes in Kandiyohi County
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 29 lakes in Kandiyohi County. Of those, 24 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.
Diamond Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 11.5 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 13 inches. Green Lake is second at A, with 3.4 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 41% of its crappie measured over 10 inches. Norway Lake is third at A, and its biggest crappie was 12 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond Lake | A | 1,610 | 11.5/net in trap nets | 17% | 13" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Green Lake | A | 5,569 | 3.4/net in trap nets | 41% | 13" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Norway Lake | A | 2,339 | 7.5/net in trap nets | 13% | 12" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Ringo Lake | A− | 735 | 3.9/net in trap nets | 30% | 14" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Willmar Lake | A− | 636 | 6/net in trap nets | 59% | 12" | 0.6 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | East Solomon Lake | A− | 658 | 6.4/net in trap nets | 5% | 13" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Long Lake | A− | 325 | 6.9/net in trap nets | 42% | 12" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Long Lake | A− | 1,573 | 1.8/net in trap nets | 82% | 14" | 0.8 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Minnetaga Lake | A− | 791 | 3.9/net in trap nets | 52% | 12" | 0.5 lb | 2021 |
| 10 | Foot Lake | A− | 503 | 6.3/net in trap nets | 20% | 11" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Kandiyohi County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best crappie 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.