Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Scott County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 15 lakes in Scott County. The 8 ranked below are the ones that earn a grade on this site. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
O'Dowd Lake is first at B+. The DNR caught 54.5 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2022 survey, and the biggest was 20 inches. Cedar Lake is second at B. 33% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Thole Lake is third at B−, and its biggest largemouth bass was 20 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | O'Dowd Lake | B+ | 301 | 54.5/hr in electrofishing | 4% | 20" | 0.9 lb | 2022 |
| 2 | Cedar Lake | B | 793 | — | 33% | 20" | 1.9 lb | 2021 |
| 3 | Thole Lake | B− | 119 | 30.4/hr in electrofishing | 45% | 20" | 1.9 lb | 2023 |
| 4 | McMahon Lake | B− | 187 | — | 45% | 17" | 1.5 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Lower Prior Lake | B− | 956 | — | 6% | 17" | 0.6 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Cleary Lake | C+ | 145 | — | 0% | 14" | 0.7 lb | 2017 |
| 7 | Upper Prior Lake | C | 386 | 18.2/hr in electrofishing | 13% | 16" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
| 8 | Spring Lake | C− | 592 | 9.5/hr in electrofishing | 26% | 18" | 0.9 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Scott 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.