Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best smallmouth bass lakes in Todd County
The DNR has surveyed smallmouth bass in 10 lakes in Todd County. The 6 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.
Big Birch Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 33 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and the biggest was 20 inches. Little Birch Lake is second at B+, with 15 smallmouth bass per hour of electrofishing in the 2025 survey, and 77% of its smallmouth bass measured over 15 inches. Lake Osakis is third at B−, and its biggest smallmouth bass was 19 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 15" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Birch Lake | A | 2,107 | 33/hr in electrofishing | 70% | 20" | 2.2 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Little Birch Lake | B+ | 839 | 15/hr in electrofishing | 77% | 19" | 2.4 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Lake Osakis | B− | 6,389 | — | 50% | 19" | 1.8 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Sauk Lake | C+ | 2,126 | — | 0% | 16" | 0.3 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Mound Lake | C+ | 270 | — | 100% | 16" | 2.4 lb | 2024 |
| 6 | Little Swan Lake | C− | 164 | 2.3/hr in electrofishing | 75% | 17" | — | 2025 |
Also ranked in Todd County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best smallmouth 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.