Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes near Bemidji
11 surveyed smallmouth bass lakes sit within 25 miles of Bemidji; the 5 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.
Kabekona Lake leads at grade B, with 4.8 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2024 survey and a 20-inch fish the biggest measured. Movil Lake is next at C+, 2.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey, 37% of the smallmouth bass netted over 15 inches. Beltrami Lake rounds out the top three at C, a 19-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kabekona Lake | B | 2,433 | 4.8/hr in electrofishing | 33% | 20" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Movil Lake | C+ | 855 | 2.9/hr in electrofishing | 37% | 18" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Beltrami Lake | C | 726 | 2/hr in electrofishing | 21% | 19" | 1.5 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Pike Bay Lake | C | 4,756 | 1.3/hr in electrofishing | 0% | 7" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Turtle Lake | C− | 1,607 | 1.1/hr in electrofishing | 0% | 13" | 1 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked near Bemidji: Walleye · Northern pike · Muskellunge · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth bass 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.