Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best walleye lakes in Washington County
24 surveyed walleye lakes sit in Washington County; the 6 ranked here cleared this site's grade rubric, which reads DNR survey catch rates, size structure and trophy history the same way the live map does for every lake.
Forest Lake leads at grade A, with 7.3 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2025 survey and a 27-inch fish the biggest measured. Clear Lake is next at B+, 7.5 walleye per net in gill nets in its 2024 survey, 4% of the walleye netted over 20 inches. Bone Lake rounds out the top three at B−, a 27-inch fish the biggest measured.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 20" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Lake | A | 2,271 | 7.3/net in gill nets | 31% | 27" | 2.3 lb | 2025 |
| 2 | Clear Lake | B+ | 429 | 7.5/net in gill nets | 4% | 27" | 1.3 lb | 2024 |
| 3 | Bone Lake | B− | 221 | 4.3/net in gill nets | 8% | 27" | 1.6 lb | 2024 |
| 4 | White Bear Lake | C+ | 2,428 | 1.1/net in gill nets | 32% | 24" | 2.4 lb | 2024 |
| 5 | Big Carnelian Lake | C− | 457 | 1.2/net in gill nets | 80% | 23" | 3 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Big Marine Lake | C− | 1,799 | 0.8/net in gill nets | 0% | 19" | 1.6 lb | 2024 |
Also ranked in Washington County: Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best walleye lakes in Minnesota
Grades are this site's rubric over Minnesota DNR survey data (catch per unit effort against DNR benchmarks, size structure, trophy history). See any lake's page for the underlying numbers. Survey years vary by lake; the table shows each lake's latest.