Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes near Grand Rapids
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 181 lakes within 25 miles of Grand Rapids. Of those, 68 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.
Split Hand Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 7.2 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 13 inches. Moose Lake is second at A, with 3.5 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 23% of its crappie measured over 10 inches. Siseebakwet Lake is third at A−, and its biggest crappie was 13 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Split Hand Lake | A | 1,374 | 7.2/net in trap nets | 13% | 13" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Moose Lake | A | 1,273 | 3.5/net in trap nets | 23% | 14" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Siseebakwet Lake | A− | 1,210 | 3.1/net in trap nets | 24% | 13" | 0.5 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Shallow Lake | A− | 539 | 4.1/net in trap nets | 23% | 13" | 0.4 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Swan Lake | A− | 2,456 | 1.9/net in trap nets | 20% | 12" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | King Lake | B+ | 311 | 10.1/net in trap nets | 4% | 11" | 0.2 lb | 2009 |
| 7 | Balsam Lake | B+ | 716 | 2.8/net in trap nets | 22% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2022 |
| 8 | Crooked Lake | B+ | 465 | 3.9/net in trap nets | 8% | 10" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Bray Lake | B+ | 177 | 3.8/net in trap nets | 20% | 12" | 0.3 lb | 2014 |
| 10 | Highland Lake | B+ | 105 | 5.2/net in trap nets | 28% | 11" | 0.4 lb | 2018 |
Also ranked near Grand Rapids: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Smallmouth bass · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best crappie 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.