Obviously if you ask most anyone for the top smallmouth Lake in Minnesota you’d hear Mille Lacs…
But how about the best Minnesota Lake for largemouth – in terms of SIZE. What are the top 3 lakes in your opinion?
I have no clue right now. But 10-15 years ago Leech, Pokegama and Waconia would have been at the top of the list. Seems like on all the big tournament lakes that largemouth size has gone down some. At least that’s my perception. Since Classic Bass changed their website I don’t pay attention to results like I used to do when it was super easy.
We have a few lakes in the Mankato area that produce big fish in the 5-6 range. Lots of fish in the 15-18 inch class.
I have no clue right now. But 10-15 years ago Leech, Pokegama and Waconia would have been at the top of the list. Seems like on all the big tournament lakes that largemouth size has gone down some. At least that’s my perception. Since Classic Bass changed their website I don’t pay attention to results like I used to do when it was super easy.
I think you have a point… the larger lakes are popular tournament destinations and get hit pretty consistently. Makes you wonder if some small/medium lake holds the next state record?
Some guy almost broke state record a few years ago with a fish from little lake zumbro. Any little puddle could have the perfect conditions to grow big bass, just probably not quantity.
Mille Lacs produces big Pike, Muskie, Walleye, Smallmouth. Is there any reason to believe there aren’t big Largemouth there? For big fish I think Mille Lacs would likely be the furthest North although Leech can kick out some good fish also. IMO your true trophy fish will be south of the metro where the growing season is a touch longer and the fishing pressure is less.
We have some lakes in Alexandria where largemouth over 7 pounds are very possible. We’ve release a number of them… PM sent Frydog.
We have a few lakes in the Mankato area that produce big fish in the 5-6 range. Lots of fish in the 15-18 inch class.
A friend of mine talked about the lakes just East of Mankato and said the same. He said they have a very high population of bluegill which of course are like fillet mignon to largemouth. Could be why they get big there!!
The backwaters of the Mississippi put out some big bass, Wabasha/Winona/LaCrosse area. Not a lake though…
Mille Lacs (the largemouth are there), Minnetonka (during the week), and probably the Miss ( I know it’s not a lake but it deserves to be there.)
The lake I think that I get most frustrated with is Minnetonka. My opinion only but I think you can catch a ton of fish – but they are primarily 1-3 pounds with the occasional 4 pound fish. I’m sure there are bigger in there but I’ve caught a bunch and they seem to hit a low ceiling IMO.
Lake Calhoun
Cavanaugh Lake (Grand Rapids)
…I’ve said too much *runs away*
I can tell you the next state record is not in Bryant Lake in Eden Prairie. Spent 6 hours presenting every kind of lure there recently and there seemed to be an over abundance of small bass. I upsized and caught an over abundance of small pike.
At least I enjoyed listening to rush hour on 494 instead of being stuck in it!!
Lake Calhoun
Cavanaugh Lake (Grand Rapids)…I’ve said too much *runs away*
Isn’t Cavanaugh a mine pit? That being said I’ve heard some of those deep pits hold incredible fish ….
It’s the holding pond, well, what used to be the holding pond where they pumped water from the Tioga mine.
I saw my brother pull in the biggest bass I had ever seen up to that point in my life. This is 25-30 years ago. We were camping and fishing the mine for trout and decided to take a canoe out on Cavanaugh. If I remember the water is pretty clear and there are a ton of stumps.
In any event I am pretty sure that bass was in the 6# range. It was a long, fat female full of spawn.
Pig lakes have GREAT structure usually-lakes with very good structure sometimes never produce bass over 18”. If the spawning habitat is great all over the lake you can have a huge population of stunted fish. This is a great sport because you can come up with all kinds of theories; here is one of mine: if the lake has a great piece of structure like some wood at the proper depth the big bass can muscle in and occupy that spot-the big mouth on a 5lber can ambush and vacuum up a nice dinner-that big lady will not compete well out in the open chasing with the 2 # fish. I often see big bite marks on the sides of big bass, I think(another theory) they get pushed out of great structure by muskies or other king of the hill predators. Big ones also feed at weird times and during weird weather. BTW outside of the metro I have heard good things about Pelican and Norway-In the metro? I’m keeping my ‘big mouth’ shut (ha ha ha!)
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, but we did catch a few bass yesterday on Lake Reno by Alex. Including this 18″, unfortunately, and as usual, the 
