Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Sherburne County
The DNR has surveyed walleye in 16 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 B. The DNR caught 4.5 walleye per gill net in the 2017 survey, and the biggest was 26 inches. Clear Lake is second at B, with 8.8 walleye per gill net in the 2009 survey, and 16% of its walleye measured over 20 inches. Elk Lake is third at B−, and its biggest walleye was 22 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elk Lake | B | 362 | 4.5/net in gill nets | 29% | 26" | 2.1 lb | 2017 |
| 2 | Clear Lake | B | 113 | 8.8/net in gill nets | 16% | 24" | 1.1 lb | 2009 |
| 3 | Elk Lake | B− | 357 | 4.2/net in gill nets | 31% | 22" | 2.1 lb | 2019 |
| 4 | Big Lake | C+ | 254 | 4.5/net in gill nets | 11% | 21" | 1.7 lb | 2017 |
| 5 | Rush Lake | C+ | 161 | 5/net in gill nets | 15% | 22" | 1.7 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Mitchell Lake | C+ | 170 | 5/net in gill nets | 3% | 22" | 1.5 lb | 2019 |
| 7 | Julia Lake | C | 155 | 3/net in gill nets | 17% | 27" | 1.9 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Briggs Lake | C | 404 | 1.3/net in gill nets | 13% | 26" | 1.4 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Eagle Lake | C− | 462 | 1/net in gill nets | 38% | 26" | 2.9 lb | 2021 |
Also ranked in Sherburne 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.