Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes near Willmar
34 surveyed largemouth bass lakes sit within 25 miles of Willmar; 23 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.
East Solomon Lake leads at grade A+, with 104.4 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey and a 21-inch fish the biggest measured. Long Lake is next at A, 60.5 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey, 35% of the largemouth bass netted over 15 inches. Andrew Lake rounds out the top three at A−, a 19-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Solomon Lake | A+ | 658 | 104.4/hr in electrofishing | 26% | 21" | 0.6 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Long Lake | A | 1,573 | 60.5/hr in electrofishing | 35% | 18" | — | 2025 |
| 3 | Andrew Lake | A− | 759 | 70.5/hr in electrofishing | 11% | 19" | 0.9 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | Games Lake | A− | 527 | 55.5/hr in electrofishing | 24% | 19" | 1.9 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Monson Lake | A− | 208 | 65.5/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 19" | 2.2 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Ringo Lake | B+ | 735 | 29.3/hr in electrofishing | 37% | 20" | 2.3 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Eagle Lake | B+ | 850 | 30.9/hr in electrofishing | 20% | 18" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Diamond Lake | B | 1,610 | 24.6/hr in electrofishing | 0% | — | — | 2025 |
| 9 | Ripley (west portion) Lake | B | 614 | — | 43% | 21" | 1.2 lb | 2023 |
| 10 | Big Kandiyohi Lake | B− | 2,730 | 9.8/hr in electrofishing | 0% | — | — | 2024 |
Also ranked near Willmar: Walleye · Northern pike · Smallmouth bass · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best largemouth 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.