Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes near Brainerd
61 surveyed smallmouth bass lakes sit within 25 miles of Brainerd; 33 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. The top 10 are ranked here.
Clearwater Lake leads at grade A, with 89.2 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey and a 20-inch fish the biggest measured. Alexander Lake is next at A−, 25.3 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey, 35% of the smallmouth bass netted over 15 inches. Hubert Lake rounds out the top three at A−, a 19-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clearwater Lake | A | 906 | 89.2/hr in electrofishing | 28% | 20" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Alexander Lake | A− | 2,709 | 25.3/hr in electrofishing | 35% | 19" | 1.4 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Hubert Lake | A− | 1,301 | 29.1/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 19" | 1.9 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Round Lake | A− | 1,650 | 15.7/hr in electrofishing | 46% | 19" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Sylvan Lake | B+ | 322 | 19.4/hr in electrofishing | 72% | 20" | — | 2024 |
| 6 | Placid Lake | B+ | 538 | 18.2/hr in electrofishing | 20% | 19" | — | 2024 |
| 7 | Borden Lake | B+ | 1,011 | 9.9/hr in electrofishing | 55% | 19" | — | 2025 |
| 8 | Round Lake | B | 737 | 9/hr in electrofishing | 26% | 19" | 1.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Big Trout Lake | B | 1,366 | — | 75% | 20" | 3.8 lb | 2024 |
| 10 | Farm Island Lake | B | 2,005 | 4.3/hr in electrofishing | 23% | 18" | 1.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked near Brainerd: 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.