Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in McLeod County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 9 lakes in McLeod 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.
Cedar Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 43.5 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2018 survey, and the biggest was 17 inches. Stahl's Lake is second at B, with 52.3 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2018 survey, and 21% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Winsted Lake is third at C+, and its biggest largemouth bass was 15 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Lake | B+ | 1,860 | 43.5/hr in electrofishing | 2% | 17" | 0.7 lb | 2018 |
| 2 | Stahl's Lake | B | 141 | 52.3/hr in electrofishing | 21% | 19" | 1.3 lb | 2018 |
| 3 | Winsted Lake | C+ | 382 | — | 33% | 15" | 0.9 lb | 2021 |
| 4 | Silver Lake | C+ | 453 | — | 100% | 15" | 2.2 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Otter Lake | C+ | 642 | — | 3% | 15" | 1.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Marion Lake | C+ | 520 | — | 0% | 11" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in McLeod County: Walleye · Northern pike · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best largemouth 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.