Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Polk County
14 surveyed walleye lakes sit in Polk County; the 5 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 10.5 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2024 survey and a 28-inch fish the biggest measured. Sarah Lake is next at A, 15.5 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2021 survey, 32% of the walleye netted over 20 inches. Union Lake rounds out the top three at A−, a 30-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Lake | A | 1,641 | 10.5/net in gill nets | 21% | 28" | 1.6 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Sarah Lake | A | 366 | 15.5/net in gill nets | 32% | 29" | 2 lb | 2021 |
| 3 | Union Lake | A− | 888 | 6.3/net in gill nets | 64% | 30" | 3 lb | 2022 |
| 4 | Whitefish Lake | B+ | 243 | 11.3/net in gill nets | 37% | 26" | 2.6 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Crystal Lake | C+ | 118 | 4/net in gill nets | 88% | 25" | 3.9 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Polk County: Northern pike · 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.