Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Pine County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 42 lakes in Pine County. Of those, 11 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.
Sand Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 39.5 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 19 inches. Bass Lake is second at B−, with 27.7 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2019 survey, and 20% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Fox Lake is third at B−, and its biggest largemouth bass was 18 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sand Lake | B+ | 527 | 39.5/hr in electrofishing | 14% | 19" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Bass Lake | B− | 229 | 27.7/hr in electrofishing | 20% | 20" | 1.1 lb | 2019 |
| 3 | Fox Lake | B− | 200 | 29.5/hr in electrofishing | 44% | 18" | 0.6 lb | 2014 |
| 4 | Cross Lake | B− | 925 | 18.6/hr in electrofishing | 26% | 15" | — | 2025 |
| 5 | Dago Lake | C+ | 118 | 34.1/hr in electrofishing | 20% | 19" | 1.4 lb | 2006 |
| 6 | Grindstone Lake | C+ | 533 | 17.5/hr in electrofishing | 12% | 18" | 1.2 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Upper Pine Lake | C | 233 | 18.9/hr in electrofishing | 43% | 18" | 1.8 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Oak Lake | C | 459 | 12.1/hr in electrofishing | 54% | 18" | 2.5 lb | 2023 |
| 9 | Big Pine Lake | C | 399 | 10.9/hr in electrofishing | 52% | 19" | 1.6 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Sturgeon Lake | C | 1,706 | 9.3/hr in electrofishing | 3% | 16" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Pine County: 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.