Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in McLeod County
11 surveyed walleye lakes sit in McLeod County; the 7 ranked here cleared this site's grade rubric, which reads DNR survey catch rates, size structure and trophy history the same way the live map does for every lake.
Marion Lake leads at grade A, with 26.6 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 29-inch fish the biggest measured. Swan Lake is next at B+, 13.4 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 2% of the walleye netted over 20 inches. Silver Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 25-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marion Lake | A | 520 | 26.6/net in gill nets | 10% | 29" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Swan Lake | B+ | 352 | 13.4/net in gill nets | 2% | 26" | 2.1 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Silver Lake | B− | 453 | — | 33% | 25" | 1.6 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Cedar Lake | B− | 1,860 | — | 100% | 25" | 6.2 lb | 2018 |
| 5 | Otter Lake | B− | 642 | — | 2% | 25" | — | 2025 |
| 6 | Round Grove Lake | C+ | 296 | — | 15% | 24" | 0.9 lb | 2023 |
| 7 | Stahl's Lake | C | 141 | 3/net in gill nets | 72% | 23" | 3.3 lb | 2018 |
Also ranked in McLeod County: Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best walleye lakes in Minnesota
Grades are this site's rubric over Minnesota DNR survey data (catch per unit effort against DNR benchmarks, size structure, trophy history). See any lake's page for the underlying numbers. Survey years vary by lake; the table shows each lake's latest.