Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes near Minneapolis
122 surveyed walleye lakes sit within 25 miles of Minneapolis; 38 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.
Minnetonka Lake leads at grade A−, with 2.5 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2022 survey and a 26-inch fish the biggest measured. Spring Lake is next at A−, 11.3 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 21% of the walleye netted over 20 inches. Independence Lake rounds out the top three at A−, a 28-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnetonka Lake | A− | 14,206 | 2.5/net in gill nets | 38% | 26" | 2.6 lb | 2022 |
| 2 | Spring Lake | A− | 592 | 11.3/net in gill nets | 21% | 27" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Independence Lake | A− | 832 | 6.7/net in gill nets | 46% | 28" | 2.8 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | East Vadnais Lake | A− | 393 | 11.5/net in gill nets | 29% | 27" | 2.1 lb | 2014 |
| 5 | Lotus Lake | B+ | 245 | 10/net in gill nets | 24% | 27" | 1.9 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Nokomis Lake | B+ | 201 | 12.2/net in gill nets | 24% | 24" | 2.2 lb | 2023 |
| 7 | Bald Eagle Lake | B+ | 1,049 | 4.2/net in gill nets | 31% | 26" | 2 lb | 2022 |
| 8 | Upper Prior Lake | B+ | 386 | 6/net in gill nets | 29% | 27" | 2.1 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Turtle Lake | B+ | 450 | 7/net in gill nets | 15% | 25" | 1.9 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Clear Lake | B+ | 429 | 7.5/net in gill nets | 4% | 27" | 1.3 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked near Minneapolis: Northern pike · Muskellunge · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best walleye 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.