Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best crappie lakes in Sherburne County
The DNR has surveyed crappie in 22 lakes in Sherburne County. The 9 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.
Elk Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 11.8 crappie per trap net in the 2019 survey, and the biggest was 12 inches. Elk Lake is second at B, with 13.1 crappie per trap net in the 2017 survey, and none of its crappie measured over 10 inches. Birch Lake is third at B, and its biggest crappie was 10 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 10" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elk Lake | A− | 357 | 11.8/net in trap nets | 7% | 12" | 0.3 lb | 2019 |
| 2 | Elk Lake | B | 362 | 13.1/net in trap nets | 0% | 12" | 0.1 lb | 2017 |
| 3 | Birch Lake | B | 160 | 5.9/net in trap nets | 2% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2019 |
| 4 | Clear Lake | B | 113 | 3.2/net in trap nets | 33% | 12" | 0.3 lb | 2009 |
| 5 | Julia Lake | B− | 155 | — | 1% | 13" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Orono Lake | C+ | 301 | — | 59% | 11" | — | 2021 |
| 7 | Briggs Lake | C+ | 404 | — | 3% | 11" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Rush Lake | C+ | 161 | — | 1% | 10" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Mitchell Lake | C | 170 | 1.1/net in trap nets | 15% | 12" | 0.4 lb | 2019 |
Also ranked in Sherburne County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best crappie 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.