Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes near Willmar
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 11 lakes within 25 miles of Willmar. The 6 ranked below are the ones that earn a grade on this site. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Big Kandiyohi Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 24.7 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 17 inches. Green Lake is second at A−, with 7.9 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and 20% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Eagle Lake is third at B, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 20 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Kandiyohi Lake | A− | 2,730 | 24.7/hr in electrofishing | 67% | 17" | 2.1 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Green Lake | A− | 5,569 | 7.9/hr in electrofishing | 20% | 20" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Eagle Lake | B | 850 | 7.7/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 20" | 1.3 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Nest Lake | B | 969 | 7.8/hr in electrofishing | 73% | 18" | 2.5 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Koronis (main lake) | B | 2,968 | — | 44% | 20" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Ripley (west portion) Lake | B− | 614 | — | 100% | 18" | 3.7 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked near Willmar: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth 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.