Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best muskellunge lakes near Minneapolis
10 surveyed muskellunge lakes sit within 25 miles of Minneapolis; the 6 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.
Minnetonka Lake leads at grade A−, a 50-inch fish the biggest measured. Bald Eagle Lake is next at B, 56% of the muskellunge netted over 40 inches. White Bear Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 46-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 40" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnetonka Lake | A− | 14,206 | — | 50% | 50" | 22.1 lb | 2022 |
| 2 | Bald Eagle Lake | B | 1,049 | — | 56% | 48" | 16.7 lb | 2022 |
| 3 | White Bear Lake | B− | 2,428 | — | 100% | 46" | 26.1 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Harriet Lake | B− | 341 | — | 100% | 44" | 21.6 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Independence Lake | B− | 832 | — | 67% | 44" | 14.9 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Owasso Lake | C− | 375 | — | 0% | 25" | 3.5 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked near Minneapolis: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best muskellunge 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.