Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes near Alexandria
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 28 lakes within 25 miles of Alexandria. Of those, 14 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.
Lake Minnewaska is first at B+. The DNR caught 4.5 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 19 inches. Lake Carlos is second at B, with 3.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2024 survey, and 63% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Pelican Lake is third at B, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 20 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Minnewaska | B+ | 8,050 | 4.5/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 19" | 2.1 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Lake Carlos | B | 2,605 | 3.9/hr in electrofishing | 63% | 20" | 1.9 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Pelican Lake | B | 3,761 | — | 100% | 20" | 4.9 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Lake Reno | B− | 3,809 | 2.5/hr in electrofishing | 39% | 18" | 1.7 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Lake Osakis | B− | 6,389 | — | 50% | 19" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Lake Miltona | B− | 5,731 | — | 13% | 18" | 0.7 lb | 2023 |
| 7 | Lobster Lake | B− | 1,334 | — | 33% | 18" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Sauk Lake | C+ | 2,126 | — | 0% | 16" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Lake Geneva | C+ | 640 | 3.1/hr in electrofishing | 0% | — | — | 2024 |
| 10 | Lake Darling | C+ | 1,050 | — | 0% | 6" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked near Alexandria: 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.