Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Polk County
15 surveyed bluegill lakes sit in Polk County; the 7 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.
Maple Lake leads at grade A, with 65.2 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2024 survey and a 9-inch fish the biggest measured. Badger Lake is next at B−, 15.7 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2016 survey, 7% of the bluegill netted over 8 inches. Union Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 8-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Lake | A | 1,641 | 65.2/net in trap nets | 13% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Badger Lake | B− | 256 | 15.7/net in trap nets | 7% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2016 |
| 3 | Union Lake | B− | 888 | 8.3/net in trap nets | 11% | 8" | 0.2 lb | 2022 |
| 4 | Hill River Lake | C | 102 | 12.1/net in trap nets | 16% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Sarah Lake | C | 366 | 2.7/net in trap nets | 39% | 10" | 0.3 lb | 2021 |
| 6 | Crystal Lake | C− | 118 | 8/net in trap nets | 8% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 7 | Spring Lake | C− | 134 | 18.3/net in trap nets | 0% | 7" | 0.1 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Polk County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill 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.