yellow bass Lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan
Other SpeciesFound in 9 lakes
Rough fish like yellow bass are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 9 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. yellow bass is narrowly distributed — only 9 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 yellow bass lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and yellow bass documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of yellow bass Lakes
Best yellow bass Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with yellow bass ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear Lake | Jackson | MN | D | 9 ft | 15 |
| 2 | Budd Lake | Martin | MN | F | 23 ft | 20 |
| 3 | Mud Lake | Martin | MN | F | 19 ft | 17 |
| 4 | George Lake | Martin | MN | F | 11 ft | 15 |
| 5 | Hall Lake | Martin | MN | F | 27 ft | 19 |
| 6 | Sisseton Lake | Martin | MN | F | 19 ft | 20 |
| 7 | Loon Lake | Jackson | MN | F | 8 ft | 18 |
| 8 | Amber Lake | Martin | MN | F | 19 ft | 17 |
| 9 | Mountain Lake | Cottonwood | MN | F | 8 ft | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have yellow bass?
yellow bass are found in 9 graded lakes: 9 in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of lakes with yellow bass is F (Very Poor).
What are the best lakes for yellow bass?
The best yellow bass lakes by water quality are Clear Lake, Budd Lake, Mud Lake, George Lake, Hall Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where yellow bass have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with yellow bass?
yellow bass are most commonly found alongside black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, common carp, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in yellow bass Lakes
Found together in 9 lakes · 28 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 41 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 240 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 6 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 172 total
Found together in 9 lakes · 840 total
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.