Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes near Brainerd
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 61 lakes within 25 miles of Brainerd. Of those, 33 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.
Clearwater Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 89.2 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 20 inches. Alexander Lake is second at A−, with 25.3 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and 35% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Hubert Lake is third at A−, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 19 inches.
| # | 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 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.