Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Pope County
19 surveyed walleye 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 Reno leads at grade A, with 13.7 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2024 survey and a 26-inch fish the biggest measured. Lake Minnewaska is next at A, 5.7 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey, 30% of the walleye netted over 20 inches. Amelia Lake rounds out the top three at A, a 28-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Reno | A | 3,809 | 13.7/net in gill nets | 42% | 26" | 2.4 lb | 2024 |
| 2 | Lake Minnewaska | A | 8,050 | 5.7/net in gill nets | 30% | 27" | 2 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Amelia Lake | A | 934 | 14.2/net in gill nets | 9% | 28" | 1.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Lake Emily | A− | 2,316 | 6.2/net in gill nets | 20% | 28" | 1.7 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Ann Lake | B | 370 | 4/net in gill nets | 96% | 27" | 4.4 lb | 2023 |
| 6 | Scandinavian Lake | B | 417 | 6.2/net in gill nets | 18% | 24" | 2.2 lb | 2024 |
| 7 | Villard Lake | B | 544 | 3.2/net in gill nets | 44% | 27" | 2.6 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Gilchrist Lake | B− | 336 | 4.8/net in gill nets | 18% | 23" | 1.7 lb | 2023 |
| 9 | Pelican Lake | B− | 518 | 3.3/net in gill nets | 23% | 23" | 1.9 lb | 2022 |
| 10 | Malmedal Lake | C+ | 199 | 5.3/net in gill nets | 6% | 21" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Pope County: Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best walleye 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.