Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Pope County
19 surveyed largemouth bass lakes sit in Pope County; 15 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 108.5 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey and a 19-inch fish the biggest measured. Lake Emily is next at A, 71.2 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in its 2025 survey, 38% of the largemouth bass netted over 15 inches. Pelican Lake rounds out the top three at A, a 19-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Minnewaska | A | 8,050 | 108.5/hr in electrofishing | 6% | 19" | 1.1 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Lake Emily | A | 2,316 | 71.2/hr in electrofishing | 38% | 18" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Pelican Lake | A | 518 | 90/hr in electrofishing | 19% | 19" | 1.4 lb | 2022 |
| 4 | Scandinavian Lake | A | 417 | 140/hr in electrofishing | 13% | 18" | 1.5 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Goose Lake | A− | 324 | 128.5/hr in electrofishing | 16% | 18" | 0.3 lb | 2019 |
| 6 | Lake Reno | A− | 3,809 | 29/hr in electrofishing | 51% | 18" | 1 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Grove Lake | B | 345 | 24.9/hr in electrofishing | 43% | 20" | 2.4 lb | 2023 |
| 8 | Leven Lake | B | 282 | 38.9/hr in electrofishing | 29% | 17" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Lake Johanna | B | 1,399 | 25/hr in electrofishing | 6% | 16" | 0.1 lb | 2022 |
| 10 | Lake Linka | B | 178 | 30/hr in electrofishing | 41% | 20" | 1.5 lb | 2023 |
Also ranked in Pope County: Walleye · Northern pike · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best largemouth bass 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.