Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Pope County
The DNR has surveyed walleye in 19 lakes in Pope County. Of those, 14 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 Reno is first at A. The DNR caught 13.7 walleye per gill net in the 2024 survey, and the biggest was 26 inches. Lake Minnewaska is second at A, with 5.7 walleye per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 30% of its walleye measured over 20 inches. Amelia Lake is third at A, and its biggest walleye was 28 inches.
| # | 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 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.