Best Lakes in St. Louis County
The top 15 of 270 lakes in St. Louis County, Minnesota, by Lake Score.
1.Rainy Lake
89 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls210,200 acres
210,200 acres · Walleye, Sauger
2.Burntside Lake
87 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely7,314 acres
7,314 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
3.St. Louis River Estuary
82 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Duluth10,255 acres
10,255 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
4.Gilbert Pit
82 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Gilbert243 acres
243 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
5.Lake Vermilion
80 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower39,272 acres
39,272 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
6.Bear Head Lake
77 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower662 acres
662 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
7.Birch Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt7,074 acres
7,074 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
8.Ely Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Eveleth723 acres
723 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
9.St. Mary's Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Spruce234 acres
234 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
10.Lake Kabetogama
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,034 acres
24,034 acres · Walleye, Sauger
11.Whiteface Reservoir
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Markham4,567 acres
4,567 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
12.Whitewater Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Hoyt Lakes1,212 acres
1,212 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
13.Trout Lake
73 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower7,425 acres
7,425 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
14.Namakan Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,066 acres
24,066 acres · Walleye, Sauger
15.Pike Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Hermantown488 acres
488 acres · Walleye, Northern Pike
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best lake in St. Louis County?
Rainy Lake has the highest Lake Score in St. Louis County at 89 out of 100, followed by Burntside Lake and St. Louis River Estuary. The score combines public access, the fishery, size, clarity and amenities.