Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Pope County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 19 lakes in Pope County. Of those, 16 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.
Lake Minnewaska is first at A. The DNR caught 57.5 bluegill per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Lake Reno is second at A, with 18.7 bluegill per trap net in the 2024 survey, and 10% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. Lake Johanna is third at A−, and its biggest bluegill was 9 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Minnewaska | A | 8,050 | 57.5/net in trap nets | 14% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Lake Reno | A | 3,809 | 18.7/net in trap nets | 10% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Lake Johanna | A− | 1,399 | 68.3/net in trap nets | 1% | 9" | — | 2022 |
| 4 | Pelican Lake | B+ | 518 | 34.1/net in trap nets | 14% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2022 |
| 5 | Grove Lake | B+ | 345 | 27.6/net in trap nets | 16% | 9" | 0.3 lb | 2023 |
| 6 | Scandinavian Lake | B+ | 417 | 32/net in trap nets | 2% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Nelson Lake | B+ | 293 | 30.1/net in trap nets | 5% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2023 |
| 8 | Amelia Lake | B+ | 934 | 11/net in trap nets | 17% | 10" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Lake Emily | B+ | 2,316 | 11.3/net in trap nets | 4% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Gilchrist Lake | B | 336 | 18.7/net in trap nets | 18% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Pope County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill 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.