Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes near Duluth
34 surveyed bluegill lakes sit within 25 miles of Duluth; the 7 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.
Wild Rice Lake leads at grade A−, with 11.3 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2024 survey and a 9-inch fish the biggest measured. Fish Lake Flowage is next at B+, 10.4 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2025 survey, 11% of the bluegill netted over 8 inches. Caribou Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 8-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wild Rice Lake | A− | 2,372 | 11.3/net in trap nets | 45% | 9" | 0.4 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Fish Lake Flowage | B+ | 3,259 | 10.4/net in trap nets | 11% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Caribou Lake | B− | 539 | 17.8/net in trap nets | 1% | 8" | — | 2025 |
| 4 | Grand Lake | C+ | 1,665 | 4.5/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2019 |
| 5 | Schultz Lake | C | 210 | 14.3/net in trap nets | 1% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2012 |
| 6 | Island Lake Reservoir | C− | 8,001 | 0.5/net in trap nets | 16% | 10" | 0.4 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Chub Lake | C− | 313 | 8.4/net in trap nets | 1% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2020 |
Also ranked near Duluth: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill 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.