Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes near Grand Rapids
40 surveyed smallmouth bass lakes sit within 25 miles of Grand Rapids; 21 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.
Deer Lake leads at grade A, with 50.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2023 survey and a 20-inch fish the biggest measured. Three Island Lake is next at A, 121.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2012 survey, 9% of the smallmouth bass netted over 15 inches. Pokegama Lake rounds out the top three at A−, a 18-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deer Lake | A | 4,094 | 50.9/hr in electrofishing | 29% | 20" | 1.8 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Three Island Lake | A | 250 | 121.9/hr in electrofishing | 9% | 20" | 1.7 lb | 2012 |
| 3 | Pokegama Lake | A− | 6,721 | 17/hr in electrofishing | 67% | 18" | 2.4 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Spider Lake | B+ | 1,393 | 9.3/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 18" | 1.5 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Trout Lake | B | 1,862 | — | 60% | 20" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Bass Lake | B | 2,715 | — | 78% | 20" | 2.6 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Canisteo Pit | B− | 1,458 | — | 33% | 19" | 1.6 lb | 2010 |
| 8 | North Star Lake | B− | 832 | — | 44% | 19" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Twin Lake | B− | 147 | — | 50% | 19" | 2.9 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Black Island Lake | B− | 117 | — | 75% | 17" | 2.4 lb | 2017 |
Also ranked near Grand Rapids: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth bass 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.