splake Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 12 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like splake are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 12 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. splake is narrowly distributed — only 12 lakes in Minnesota have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the splake lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and splake documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best splake Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tofte Lake | Lake | A | 18.5 ft | 73 ft |
| 2 | Kemo Lake | Cook | A | 17 ft | 65 ft |
| 3 | Larson Lake | Itasca | A | 21 ft | 177 ft |
| 4 | Erskine Lake | Itasca | A | 18 ft | 56 ft |
| 5 | Long Lake | Aitkin | B | 10.8 ft | 116 ft |
| 6 | Portage Lake | Cook | B | 8.5 ft | 55 ft |
| 7 | Divide Lake | Lake | B | 10.1 ft | 22 ft |
| 8 | Bean Lake | Lake | B | 9.8 ft | 26 ft |
| 9 | Beaver Hut Lake | Lake | B | 3.4 ft | 12 ft |
| 10 | Iron Lake | Cook | B | 4.9 ft | 19 ft |
| 11 | Esther Lake | Cook | C | 9.5 ft | 35 ft |
| 12 | Upper Estuary Lake | St. Louis | D | 1.9 ft | 55 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have splake?
splake are found in 12 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is B (Good).
What are the best splake lakes in Minnesota?
The best splake lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Tofte Lake, Kemo Lake, Larson Lake, Erskine Lake, Long Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.