---
type: species
title: "Channel Catfish Lakes in Minnesota"
lakes: 153
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/fishing/channel-catfish
---

# Channel Catfish Lakes in Minnesota

153 lakes where Minnesota DNR surveys have recorded channel catfish, ranked for fishing.

## Lakes

| Lake | County | Acres | Regulations | Lake Score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [St. Louis River Estuary](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/st-louis-river-estuary) | St. Louis County | 10,255 | Statewide | 82/100 |
| [Lake St. Croix](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/lake-st-croix) | Washington County | 8,393 | Statewide | 83/100 |
| [Lake Pepin](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/goodhue-county/lake-pepin) | Goodhue County | 12,299 | Statewide | 76/100 |
| [Cross Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pine-county/cross-lake) | Pine County | 925 | Special | 54/100 |
| [Pokegama Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pine-county/pokegama-lake) | Pine County | 1,521 | Special | 58/100 |
| [Green Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/green-lake) | Kandiyohi County | 5,569 | Special | 75/100 |
| [Island Lake Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/island-lake-reservoir) | St. Louis County | 8,001 | Special | 58/100 |
| [Big Stone Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/big-stone-lake) | Big Stone County | 11,984 | Statewide | 77/100 |
| [Lake Traverse](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/traverse-county/lake-traverse) | Traverse County | 10,849 | Statewide | 75/100 |
| [Lac qui Parle](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lac-qui-parle-county/lac-qui-parle) | Lac qui Parle County | 5,741 | Special | 59/100 |
| [Lake Byllesby](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/lake-byllesby) | Dakota County | 1,368 | Statewide | 75/100 |
| [Big Sandy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/big-sandy-lake) | Aitkin County | 6,125 | Special | 69/100 |
| [Lake Emily](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/lake-emily) | Pope County | 2,316 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Lake Minnewaska](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/lake-minnewaska) | Pope County | 8,050 | Special | 74/100 |
| [Little Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/little-birch-lake) | Todd County | 839 | Statewide | 70/100 |
| [Nest Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/nest-lake) | Kandiyohi County | 969 | Special | 56/100 |
| [Lake Zumbro](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/lake-zumbro) | Olmsted County | 715 | Statewide | 58/100 |
| [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/horseshoe-lake) | Stearns County | 629 | Special | 53/100 |
| [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/fish-lake) | Kanabec County | 506 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [Big Spunk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/big-spunk-lake) | Stearns County | 415 | Statewide | 62/100 |
| [Buffalo Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/buffalo-lake) | Wright County | 1,552 | Statewide | 61/100 |
| [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/rice-lake) | Stearns County | 1,513 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Lake Tetonka](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/lake-tetonka) | Le Sueur County | 1,358 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Briggs Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/briggs-lake) | Sherburne County | 404 | Statewide | 51/100 |
| [Marsh](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/marsh) | Big Stone County | 4,462 | Statewide | 52/100 |
| [Cedar Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/cedar-island-lake) | Stearns County | 986 | Special | 55/100 |
| [Roberds Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/roberds-lake) | Rice County | 632 | Statewide | 62/100 |
| [Big Kandiyohi Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/big-kandiyohi-lake) | Kandiyohi County | 2,730 | Statewide | 61/100 |
| [Lake Ann](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/lake-ann) | Kanabec County | 653 | Statewide | 58/100 |
| [Lake Washington](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/lake-washington) | Meeker County | 2,438 | Statewide | 52/100 |
| [Big Swan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/big-swan-lake) | Meeker County | 684 | Statewide | 51/100 |
| [Little Spirit Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/little-spirit-lake) | Jackson County | 624 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Cokato Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/cokato-lake) | Wright County | 553 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [Shakopee Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mille-lacs-county/shakopee-lake) | Mille Lacs County | 584 | Special | 54/100 |
| [Lake Wakanda](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-wakanda) | Kandiyohi County | 1,760 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/long-lake) | Stearns County | 487 | Special | 52/100 |
| [Lake Madison](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/blue-earth-county/lake-madison) | Blue Earth County | 1,447 | Statewide | 61/100 |
| [Artichoke Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/artichoke-lake) | Big Stone County | 1,971 | Statewide | 58/100 |
| [Cannon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/cannon-lake) | Rice County | 1,593 | Statewide | 56/100 |
| [Orono Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/orono-lake) | Sherburne County | 301 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/rice-lake) | Crow Wing County | 418 | Special | 52/100 |
| [Whitewater Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/whitewater-lake) | St. Louis County | 1,212 | Statewide | 74/100 |
| [Little Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/benton-county/little-rock-lake) | Benton County | 1,311 | Statewide | 66/100 |
| [Lake Shetek](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/murray-county/lake-shetek) | Murray County | 3,462 | Statewide | 57/100 |
| [Dayton Hollow Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/dayton-hollow-reservoir) | Otter Tail County | 227 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Lake Elizabeth](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-elizabeth) | Kandiyohi County | 1,023 | Statewide | 52/100 |
| [Quamba Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/quamba-lake) | Kanabec County | 226 | Statewide | 49/100 |
| [Okabena Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/nobles-county/okabena-lake) | Nobles County | 776 | Statewide | 65/100 |
| [Collinwood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/collinwood-lake) | Wright County | 639 | Statewide | 58/100 |
| [Lake Augusta](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/lake-augusta) | Wright County | 187 | Special | 58/100 |
| [Two Rivers Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/two-rivers-lake) | Stearns County | 583 | Statewide | 61/100 |
| [Lake Elysian](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/waseca-county/lake-elysian) | Waseca County | 2,215 | Statewide | 58/100 |
| [Hall Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/hall-lake) | Martin County | 548 | Special | 52/100 |
| [Colby Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/colby-lake) | St. Louis County | 518 | Statewide | 59/100 |
| [Big Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/big-lake) | Stearns County | 458 | Statewide | 57/100 |
| [Lura Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/blue-earth-county/lura-lake) | Blue Earth County | 1,359 | Statewide | 63/100 |
| [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/fish-lake) | Jackson County | 297 | Statewide | 56/100 |
| [Lake Lillian](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-lillian) | Kandiyohi County | 1,151 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [North Brown's Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/north-brown-s-lake) | Stearns County | 312 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [Sylvia Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/sylvia-lake) | Stearns County | 85 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Whiteface Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/whiteface-reservoir) | St. Louis County | 4,567 | Special | 74/100 |
| [Talcot Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/talcot-lake) | Cottonwood County | 873 | Statewide | 63/100 |
| [Fox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/fox-lake) | Martin County | 951 | Statewide | 57/100 |
| [Upper Sakatah Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/upper-sakatah-lake) | Le Sueur County | 892 | Statewide | 57/100 |
| [Upper Comstock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/upper-comstock-lake) | St. Louis County | 267 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [South Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/south-silver-lake) | Martin County | 252 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Budd Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/budd-lake) | Martin County | 228 | Special | 50/100 |
| [Albert Lea Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/albert-lea-lake) | Freeborn County | 2,669 | Statewide | 70/100 |
| [Spitzer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/spitzer-lake) | Otter Tail County | 731 | Statewide | 66/100 |
| [Loon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/loon-lake) | Jackson County | 708 | Statewide | 52/100 |
| [Iowa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/iowa-lake) | Martin County | 705 | Statewide | 49/100 |
| [Wells Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/wells-lake) | Rice County | 677 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Lake Hanska](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/lake-hanska) | Brown County | 1,795 | Statewide | 59/100 |
| [Aitkin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/aitkin-lake) | Aitkin County | 659 | Special | 55/100 |
| [Orwell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/orwell-lake) | Otter Tail County | 608 | Special | 54/100 |
| [Fountain Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/fountain-lake) | Freeborn County | 522 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Pelican Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/pelican-lake) | Pope County | 518 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Foot Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/foot-lake) | Kandiyohi County | 503 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Little Rabbit Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/little-rabbit-lake) | Crow Wing County | 172 | Special | 50/100 |
| [Ella Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/ella-lake) | Kandiyohi County | 153 | Statewide | 48/100 |
| [Cottonwood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/cottonwood-lake) | Cottonwood County | 155 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Sisseton Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/sisseton-lake) | Martin County | 138 | Special | 47/100 |
| [Great Northern Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/great-northern-lake) | Stearns County | 196 | Special | 45/100 |
| [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/clear-lake) | Jackson County | 434 | Special | 47/100 |
| [Spring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/spring-lake) | Dakota County | 1,494 | Statewide | 57/100 |
| [Lake Emily](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/lake-emily) | Le Sueur County | 300 | Statewide | 52/100 |
| [Swan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/swan-lake) | McLeod County | 352 | Statewide | 51/100 |
| [Eden Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/eden-lake) | Stearns County | 278 | Statewide | 58/100 |
| [Sabre Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/sabre-lake) | Le Sueur County | 258 | Statewide | 51/100 |
| [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/long-lake) | Watonwan County | 263 | Statewide | 49/100 |
| [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/round-lake) | Jackson County | 930 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Moosehead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/moosehead-lake) | Carlton County | 279 | Special | 64/100 |
| [St. James Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/st-james-lake) | Watonwan County | 203 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [Louisa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/louisa-lake) | Wright County | 193 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [Lake Minnetaga](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-minnetaga) | Kandiyohi County | 791 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/faribault-county/bass-lake) | Faribault County | 199 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Amber Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/amber-lake) | Martin County | 182 | Special | 48/100 |
| [Fox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/murray-county/fox-lake) | Murray County | 172 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Lake Marion](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mcleod-county/lake-marion) | McLeod County | 520 | Statewide | 57/100 |
| [Bright Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/bright-lake) | Martin County | 639 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Vails Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/vails-lake) | Stearns County | 161 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Betty Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/betty-lake) | Meeker County | 154 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [West Graham Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/nobles-county/west-graham-lake) | Nobles County | 519 | Statewide | 49/100 |
| [Knaus Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/knaus-lake) | Stearns County | 216 | Special | 45/100 |
| [Big Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/big-twin-lake) | Martin County | 461 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Caroline Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/caroline-lake) | Wright County | 137 | Special | 49/100 |
| [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/anoka-county/crooked-lake) | Anoka County | 115 | Special | 66/100 |
| [Lime Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/murray-county/lime-lake) | Murray County | 326 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [Bolfing Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/bolfing-lake) | Stearns County | 109 | Special | 47/100 |
| [George Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/george-lake) | Martin County | 83 | Special | 46/100 |
| [Lower Sakatah Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/lower-sakatah-lake) | Rice County | 372 | Statewide | 44/100 |
| [Zumwalde Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/zumwalde-lake) | Stearns County | 128 | Special | 44/100 |
| [Sleepy Eye Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/sleepy-eye-lake) | Brown County | 241 | Statewide | 68/100 |
| [Bloody Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/murray-county/bloody-lake) | Murray County | 274 | Statewide | 52/100 |
| [Double Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/double-lake) | Cottonwood County | 240 | Statewide | 48/100 |
| [Little Waverly Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/little-waverly-lake) | Wright County | 338 | Statewide | 45/100 |
| [Becker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/becker-lake) | Stearns County | 221 | Special | 49/100 |
| [Bella Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/nobles-county/bella-lake) | Nobles County | 180 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Indian Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/nobles-county/indian-lake) | Nobles County | 197 | Statewide | 45/100 |
| [Allie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/renville-county/allie-lake) | Renville County | 509 | Statewide | 58/100 |
| [East Graham Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/nobles-county/east-graham-lake) | Nobles County | 511 | Statewide | 56/100 |
| [Arvilla Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/arvilla-lake) | Meeker County | 138 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Deer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/deer-lake) | Wright County | 171 | Statewide | 46/100 |
| [Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clay-county/silver-lake) | Clay County | 115 | Statewide | 56/100 |
| [Okamanpeedan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/okamanpeedan-lake) | Martin County | 2,268 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Marie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/marie-lake) | Stearns County | 146 | Statewide | 48/100 |
| [Pearl Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/pearl-lake) | Jackson County | 117 | Statewide | 48/100 |
| [Gleason Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/gleason-lake) | Hennepin County | 135 | Statewide | 45/100 |
| [Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/ramsey-county/silver-lake-columbia-heights) | Ramsey County | 71 | Statewide | 61/100 |
| [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/ramsey-county/island-lake) | Ramsey County | 59 | Special | 50/100 |
| [Union Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/union-lake) | Wright County | 93 | Statewide | 49/100 |
| [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/clear-lake) | Martin County | 267 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [U.S. Lock & Dam #1 Pool](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/u-s-lock-and-dam-1-pool) | Hennepin County | 471 | Statewide | 42/100 |
| [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/ramsey-county/long-lake) | Ramsey County | 173 | Statewide | 61/100 |
| [Golden Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/anoka-county/golden-lake) | Anoka County | 58 | Statewide | 63/100 |
| [Wood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/yellow-medicine-county/wood-lake) | Yellow Medicine County | 485 | Statewide | 53/100 |
| [East Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/east-twin-lake) | Lyon County | 356 | Statewide | 46/100 |
| [Ocheda Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/nobles-county/ocheda-lake) | Nobles County | 1,691 | Statewide | 55/100 |
| [Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/rock-lake) | Lyon County | 379 | Statewide | 46/100 |
| [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/fish-lake) | Martin County | 156 | Statewide | 40/100 |
| [Split Rock Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pipestone-county/split-rock-reservoir) | Pipestone County | 96 | Statewide | 64/100 |
| [Goose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/goose-lake) | Carver County | 302 | Statewide | 50/100 |
| [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/pickerel-lake) | Dakota County | 114 | Statewide | 45/100 |
| [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/wright-county/fish-lake) | Wright County | 97 | Statewide | 45/100 |
| [St. Anthony Falls Pool](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/st-anthony-falls-pool) | Hennepin County | 317 | Statewide | 47/100 |
| [Redwood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/redwood-county/redwood-lake) | Redwood County | 56 | Statewide | 45/100 |
| [Imogene Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/imogene-lake) | Martin County | 186 | Special | 41/100 |
| [Loon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/waseca-county/loon-lake) | Waseca County | 125 | Statewide | 43/100 |
| [String Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/string-lake) | Cottonwood County | 336 | Statewide | 38/100 |
| [Wilson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/murray-county/wilson-lake) | Murray County | 179 | Statewide | 41/100 |
| [Thomson Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/thomson-reservoir) | Carlton County | 390 | Statewide | 43/100 |
| [Cedar Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/cedar-island-lake) | St. Louis County | 205 | Statewide | 26/100 |
| [North Drywood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/swift-county/north-drywood-lake) | Swift County | 404 | Statewide | 19/100 |

## See Also

- [How to catch channel catfish](https://www.minnelakes.org/fish/channel-catfish)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/fishing/channel-catfish)*