Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Pope County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 19 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 108.5 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 19 inches. Lake Emily is second at A, with 71.2 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and 38% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Pelican Lake is third at A, and its biggest largemouth bass was 19 inches.
| # | 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 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.