Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes near Bemidji
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 103 lakes within 25 miles of Bemidji. Of those, 53 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.
Moose Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 56 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2021 survey, and the biggest was 20 inches. Thirteen Lake is second at B+, with 66.3 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and 8% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Bemidji (main lake) is third at B+, and none of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moose Lake | A− | 601 | 56/hr in electrofishing | 16% | 20" | 0.8 lb | 2021 |
| 2 | Thirteen Lake | B+ | 555 | 66.3/hr in electrofishing | 8% | 16" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Bemidji (main lake) | B+ | 6,596 | 16.2/hr in electrofishing | 0% | — | — | 2022 |
| 4 | Movil Lake | B+ | 855 | 39.2/hr in electrofishing | 11% | 17" | 0.8 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Turtle Lake | B+ | 1,607 | 18.9/hr in electrofishing | 38% | 19" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Sandy Lake | B | 261 | 43.4/hr in electrofishing | 28% | 18" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Beltrami Lake | B | 726 | 29.6/hr in electrofishing | 13% | 18" | 1.1 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | George Lake | B | 826 | 21.5/hr in electrofishing | 33% | 18" | 1.3 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Julia Lake | B | 511 | 33.8/hr in electrofishing | 6% | 17" | 0.7 lb | 2024 |
| 10 | Midge Lake | B | 546 | 30.4/hr in electrofishing | 10% | 18" | 1.2 lb | 2021 |
Also ranked near Bemidji: Walleye · Northern pike · Muskellunge · Smallmouth bass · 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.