Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes near Mankato
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 40 lakes within 25 miles of Mankato. Of those, 19 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.
Elysian (Main Lake) is first at A. The DNR caught 67.7 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2023 survey, and the biggest was 18 inches. Middle Jefferson Lake is second at A, with 58.4 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2018 survey, and 27% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Frances Lake is third at A, and its biggest largemouth bass was 18 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elysian (Main Lake) | A | 2,215 | 67.7/hr in electrofishing | 14% | 18" | 1.5 lb | 2023 |
| 2 | Middle Jefferson Lake | A | 667 | 58.4/hr in electrofishing | 27% | 20" | 2.1 lb | 2018 |
| 3 | Frances Lake | A | 927 | 103.6/hr in electrofishing | 12% | 18" | 1.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Lura Lake | A− | 1,359 | 34.3/hr in electrofishing | 16% | 20" | 0.2 lb | 2023 |
| 5 | Reeds Lake | B+ | 195 | 68.9/hr in electrofishing | 33% | 17" | 1.2 lb | 2022 |
| 6 | Madison Lake | B+ | 1,447 | 22.2/hr in electrofishing | 23% | 19" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | West Jefferson Lake | B+ | 439 | 54.9/hr in electrofishing | 8% | 18" | 0.8 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Horseshoe Lake | B+ | 417 | 45/hr in electrofishing | 17% | 18" | 2 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Ballantyne Lake | B | 371 | 34.2/hr in electrofishing | 21% | 19" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | East Jefferson Lake | B | 685 | 18.4/hr in electrofishing | 40% | 19" | 3.4 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked near Mankato: Walleye · Northern pike · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best largemouth bass 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.