Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes in Pope County
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 18 lakes in Pope County. Of those, 15 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 2.2 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 13 inches. Lake Emily is second at A, with 2.4 crappie per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 59% of its crappie measured over 10 inches. Gilchrist Lake is third at A−, and its biggest crappie was 14 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Minnewaska | A | 8,050 | 2.2/net in trap nets | 48% | 13" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Lake Emily | A | 2,316 | 2.4/net in trap nets | 59% | 16" | 0.7 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Gilchrist Lake | A− | 336 | 6/net in trap nets | 41% | 14" | 0.6 lb | 2023 |
| 4 | Leven Lake | A− | 282 | 5.4/net in trap nets | 43% | 13" | 0.5 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Amelia Lake | A− | 934 | 2.1/net in trap nets | 70% | 14" | 0.8 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Westport Lake | A− | 203 | 10.4/net in trap nets | 3% | 12" | 0.1 lb | 2022 |
| 7 | Villard Lake | B+ | 544 | 1.8/net in trap nets | 81% | 13" | 0.7 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Ann Lake | B | 370 | — | 1% | 14" | — | 2023 |
| 9 | Pelican Lake | B | 518 | 1.6/net in trap nets | 32% | 11" | 0.3 lb | 2022 |
| 10 | Scandinavian Lake | B− | 417 | 1.4/net in trap nets | 12% | 13" | 0.2 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Pope County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best crappie 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.