Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best largemouth bass lakes in Stearns County
The DNR has surveyed largemouth bass in 68 lakes in Stearns County. Of those, 36 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.
School Section Lake is first at A−. The DNR caught 124 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2018 survey, and the biggest was 18 inches. Carnelian Lake is second at A−, with 127.1 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2024 survey, and 18% of its largemouth bass measured over 15 inches. Big Lake is third at A−, and its biggest largemouth bass was 19 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School Section Lake | A− | 211 | 124/hr in electrofishing | 30% | 18" | 1.2 lb | 2018 |
| 2 | Carnelian Lake | A− | 180 | 127.1/hr in electrofishing | 18% | 18" | 0.7 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Big Lake | A− | 458 | 82.2/hr in electrofishing | 5% | 19" | 0.7 lb | 2017 |
| 4 | Grand Lake | B+ | 651 | 48/hr in electrofishing | 18% | 18" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Pleasant Lake | B+ | 218 | 55.2/hr in electrofishing | 29% | 19" | 1.3 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Marie Lake | B+ | 146 | 64.3/hr in electrofishing | 32% | 19" | 0.7 lb | 2019 |
| 7 | Big Spunk Lake | B+ | 415 | 38.4/hr in electrofishing | 13% | 21" | 1.2 lb | 2023 |
| 8 | Clear Lake | B+ | 118 | 62.9/hr in electrofishing | 25% | 21" | 1.4 lb | 2024 |
| 9 | Pine Lake | B+ | 108 | 59.9/hr in electrofishing | 33% | 20" | 0.3 lb | 2018 |
| 10 | Knaus Lake | B | 216 | 58.3/hr in electrofishing | 14% | 18" | — | 2024 |
Also ranked in Stearns County: Walleye · Northern pike · Smallmouth bass · 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.