Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Pope County
19 surveyed bluegill lakes sit in Pope County; 16 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. The top 10 are ranked here.
Lake Minnewaska leads at grade A, with 57.5 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2025 survey and a 9-inch fish the biggest measured. Lake Reno is next at A, 18.7 bluegill per net in trap nets in its 2024 survey, 10% of the bluegill netted over 8 inches. Lake Johanna rounds out the top three at A−, a 9-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | 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 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.