Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes near Duluth
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 34 lakes within 25 miles of Duluth. The 7 ranked below are the ones that earn a grade on this site. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Wild Rice Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 11.3 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Fish Lake Flowage is second at B+, with 10.4 bluegill per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 11% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. Caribou Lake is third at B−, and its biggest bluegill was 8 inches.
| # | 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 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.