Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes near Brainerd
142 surveyed walleye lakes sit within 25 miles of Brainerd; 63 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.
Whitefish Lake leads at grade A, with 5.3 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 28-inch fish the biggest measured. Pelican Lake is next at A, 5.8 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 5% of the walleye netted over 20 inches. Gull Lake rounds out the top three at A, a 27-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish Lake | A | 7,714 | 5.3/net in gill nets | 15% | 28" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Pelican Lake | A | 8,367 | 5.8/net in gill nets | 5% | 28" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Gull Lake | A | 10,010 | 5.3/net in gill nets | 8% | 27" | 1.9 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Alexander Lake | A− | 2,709 | 3.9/net in gill nets | 31% | 30" | 2.7 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Edward Lake | A− | 2,628 | 8.7/net in gill nets | 5% | 27" | 1.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Shamineau Lake | A− | 1,434 | 4.8/net in gill nets | 43% | 30" | 3.4 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | North Long Lake | A− | 6,190 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 18% | 27" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Round Lake | A− | 1,650 | 5.4/net in gill nets | 25% | 28" | 2 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Fish Trap Lake | B+ | 1,164 | 4.3/net in gill nets | 27% | 28" | 2.4 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Round Lake | B+ | 737 | 5.1/net in gill nets | 32% | 27" | 2.4 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked near Brainerd: Northern pike · Muskellunge · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best walleye 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.