white bass Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 42 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like white bass are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 42 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. white bass is narrowly distributed — only 42 Minnesota lakes and 0 Wisconsin lakes 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 white bass lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and white bass documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best white bass Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Vadnais Lake | Ramsey | B | - | 58 ft |
| 2 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | Lower Prior Lake | Scott | B | 9.5 ft | 60 ft |
| 4 | Spring Lake | Scott | C | 7 ft | 37 ft |
| 5 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | Charley Lake | Ramsey | C | 4.6 ft | 21 ft |
| 8 | Pleasant Lake | Ramsey | C | 5.6 ft | 58 ft |
| 9 | Upper Prior Lake | Scott | C | 6 ft | 50 ft |
| 10 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 11 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | C | 5 ft | 78 ft |
| 12 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 13 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 14 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | C | 6.1 ft | 78 ft |
| 15 | Zumbro Lake | Olmsted | D | 3.9 ft | 43 ft |
| 16 | Del Clark Lake | Yellow Medicine | D | 5 ft | 30 ft |
| 17 | Hendricks Lake | Lincoln | D | 6.2 ft | 9 ft |
| 18 | Mazaska Lake | Rice | D | 2.5 ft | 50 ft |
| 19 | Deep Lake | Ramsey | D | 3.9 ft | 11 ft |
| 20 | Lake Jefferson | Le Sueur | D | 5 ft | 37 ft |
| 21 | Little Spirit Lake | Jackson | D | 3.3 ft | 8 ft |
| 22 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 23 | Madison Lake | Blue Earth | D | 3.6 ft | 59 ft |
| 24 | Round Lake | Jackson | D | 2 ft | 9 ft |
| 25 | Cedar Lake | Rice | D | 2 ft | 42 ft |
| 26 | Fox Lake | Rice | D | 3 ft | 47 ft |
| 27 | German Lake | Le Sueur | D | 3.2 ft | 51 ft |
| 28 | Tetonka Lake | Le Sueur | F | 3 ft | 35 ft |
| 29 | Fish Lake | Kanabec | F | 2 ft | 8 ft |
| 30 | Roberds Lake | Rice | F | 2 ft | 43 ft |
| 31 | Emily Lake | Pope | F | 2 ft | 6 ft |
| 32 | Pokegama Lake | Pine | F | 2 ft | 25 ft |
| 33 | Circle Lake | Rice | F | 1.5 ft | 14 ft |
| 34 | Loon Lake | Jackson | F | 0.9 ft | 8 ft |
| 35 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 36 | Shields Lake | Rice | F | 2.5 ft | 42 ft |
| 37 | Spring Lake | Dakota | F | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
| 38 | Wells Lake | Rice | F | 1.5 ft | 4 ft |
| 39 | South Silver Lake | Martin | F | 3 ft | 22 ft |
| 40 | Upper Sakatah Lake | Le Sueur | F | 3 ft | 12 ft |
| 41 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | F | 1 ft | 7 ft |
| 42 | Byllesby Lake | Dakota | F | 3 ft | 50 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have white bass?
white bass are found in 42 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best white bass lakes in Minnesota?
The best white bass lakes in Minnesota by water quality are East Vadnais Lake, Lake St. Croix, Lower Prior Lake, Spring Lake, St. Croix Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.