Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Le Sueur County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 22 lakes in Le Sueur County. Of those, 16 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.
German Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 35.3 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. East Jefferson Lake is second at B+, with 36.7 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and 4% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. West Jefferson Lake is third at B+, and its biggest bluegill was 8 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German Lake | A− | 889 | 35.3/net in trap nets | 16% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | East Jefferson Lake | B+ | 685 | 36.7/net in trap nets | 4% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | West Jefferson Lake | B+ | 439 | 47.7/net in trap nets | 2% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Middle Jefferson Lake | B+ | 667 | 33.9/net in trap nets | 4% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2018 |
| 5 | Volney Lake | B+ | 269 | 27/net in trap nets | 37% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Greenleaf Lake | B+ | 302 | 34.2/net in trap nets | 3% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Frances Lake | B+ | 927 | 14/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Emily Lake | B | 300 | 70.7/net in trap nets | 0% | 8" | — | 2024 |
| 9 | Sunfish Lake | B | 121 | 152.8/net in trap nets | 0% | 6" | — | 2023 |
| 10 | Clear Lake | B | 279 | 83.6/net in trap nets | 0% | 7" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Le Sueur 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.