Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Morrison County
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 8 lakes in Morrison 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.
Alexander Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 25.3 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 19 inches. Sylvan Lake is second at B+, with 19.4 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2024 survey, and 72% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Placid Lake is third at B+, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 19 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Lake | A− | 2,709 | 25.3/hr in electrofishing | 35% | 19" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Sylvan Lake | B+ | 322 | 19.4/hr in electrofishing | 72% | 20" | — | 2024 |
| 3 | Placid Lake | B+ | 538 | 18.2/hr in electrofishing | 20% | 19" | — | 2024 |
| 4 | Pierz Lake | C+ | 189 | — | 100% | 15" | 2.2 lb | 2022 |
| 5 | Fish Trap Lake | C+ | 1,164 | — | 0% | 11" | 0.7 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Shamineau Lake | C− | 1,434 | 0.8/hr in electrofishing | 55% | 18" | 2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Morrison County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth 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.