MN · ranked by public data
33 Cook County lakes have exact-water DNR survey evidence for panfish; 33 lakes with status, survey, or report evidence met our criteria, out of 756 documented lakes in the county. Updated July 2026.
Ranked within standard summer august mn class 12 standard gill nets normal 2 2 to 14 6 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1
Cook County, MN
98.9 within-system score · 14,818.3 lake-scale opportunity index · 36.29 fish/net set · 2021 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
39.8 within-system score · 1,404.2 lake-scale opportunity index · 3.11 fish/net set · 2012 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
33.4 within-system score · 596.2 lake-scale opportunity index · 4 fish/net set · 2018 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
26.5 within-system score · 450.4 lake-scale opportunity index · 3.5 fish/net set · 2005 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
22.5 within-system score · 506 lake-scale opportunity index · 2 fish/net set · 1991 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
12.3 within-system score · 88.2 lake-scale opportunity index · 0.67 fish/net set · 2025 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
11.8 within-system score · 101.9 lake-scale opportunity index · 0.5 fish/net set · 2018 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
0.0 within-system score · 73.8 lake-scale opportunity index · 0.17 fish/net set · 1988 DNR survey
Ranked within standard summer july mn class 12 standard gill nets normal 2 2 to 14 6 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1
Cook County, MN
91.4 within-system score · 9,256.8 lake-scale opportunity index · 22.67 fish/net set · 1991 DNR survey
Cook County, MN
44.5 within-system score · 1,518.9 lake-scale opportunity index · 3.5 fish/net set · 2022 DNR survey
| Rank | Lake | County | Acres | System score | Primary score signal | Survey measurement | Metric year | Fishing report | DNR status | Panfish stocking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Lichen Lake | Cook | 253 | 32.2 | index 759.1 | 3 fish/net set | 2014 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 4 | Finger Lake | Cook | 204 | 13.8 | index 203.9 | 1 fish/net set | 2023 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 5 | Bouder Lake | Cook | 129 | 9.9 | index 214.9 | 1.67 fish/net set | 2002 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 6 | Kimball Lake | Cook | 77 | 1.6 | index 153.5 | 2 fish/net set | 1986 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer august mn class 1 standard gill nets normal 0 3 to 2 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Devil Track Lake | Cook | 1,876 | 100.0 | index 6,511 | 3.47 fish/net set | 2024 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Gunflint Lake | Cook | 4,009 | 71.0 | index 6,254.2 | 1.56 fish/net set | 1991 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 3 | Greenwood Lake | Cook | 2,043 | 47.6 | index 1,879.2 | 0.92 fish/net set | 1990 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 4 | Clearwater Lake | Cook | 1,344 | 23.6 | index 537.7 | 0.4 fish/net set | 1984 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 5 | Bearskin Lake | Cook | 509 | 0.0 | index 112 | 0.22 fish/net set | 1982 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer july mn class 6 standard gill nets normal 0 5 to 2 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Caribou Lake | Cook | 721 | 99.5 | index 5,282.1 | 7.33 fish/net set | 2022 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Crescent Lake | Cook | 755 | 90.8 | index 4,442.2 | 5.88 fish/net set | 2024 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 3 | Aspen Lake | Cook | 141 | 23.4 | index 117.2 | 0.83 fish/net set | 2020 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 4 | Gull Lake | Cook | 168 | 13.1 | index 112.5 | 0.67 fish/net set | 1985 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 5 | Iron Lake | Cook | 122 | 0.5 | index 40.3 | 0.33 fish/net set | 1987 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer august mn class 6 standard gill nets normal 0 5 to 2 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Crescent Lake | Cook | 755 | 90.0 | index 1,760.3 | 2.33 fish/net set | 1985 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Devilfish Lake | Cook | 405 | 76.4 | index 809.8 | 2 fish/net set | 1992 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 3 | Caribou Lake | Cook | 721 | 31.6 | index 158.5 | 0.22 fish/net set | 2011 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 4 | Gull Lake | Cook | 168 | 10.0 | index 28.5 | 0.17 fish/net set | 2017 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer july mn class 1 standard gill nets normal 0 3 to 2 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Devil Track Lake | Cook | 1,876 | 90.5 | index 3,133.5 | 1.67 fish/net set | 1993 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Gunflint Lake | Cook | 4,009 | 90.0 | index 6,695.2 | 1.67 fish/net set | 1988 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 3 | Clearwater Lake | Cook | 1,344 | 6.0 | index 80.7 | 0.06 fish/net set | 1991 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer july mn class 17 standard gill nets normal 3 3 to 18 3 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Christine Lake | Cook | 184 | 100.0 | index 3,980.8 | 21.67 fish/net set | 2025 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Holly Lake | Cook | 76 | 56.1 | index 1,366.9 | 18 fish/net set | 2023 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 3 | Bower Trout Lake | Cook | 133 | 0.0 | index 754.5 | 5.67 fish/net set | 1989 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer july mn class 3 standard gill nets normal 0 4 to 3 7 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Hungry Jack Lake | Cook | 474 | 100.0 | index 4,742.8 | 10 fish/net set | 2016 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | East Bearskin Lake | Cook | 593 | 30.6 | index 990.8 | 1.67 fish/net set | 1991 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 3 | Flour Lake | Cook | 330 | 0.0 | index 221.2 | 0.67 fish/net set | 1991 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer august mn class 16 standard gill nets normal 4 7 to 15 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Lake Clara | Cook | 388 | 90.0 | index 9,950.7 | 25.67 fish/net set | 2007 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Fourmile Lake | Cook | 593 | 10.0 | index 593 | 1 fish/net set | 2021 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer august mn class 17 standard gill nets normal 3 3 to 18 3 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Christine Lake | Cook | 184 | 100.0 | index 5,817.8 | 31.67 fish/net set | 1995 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Holly Lake | Cook | 76 | 0.0 | index 1,253 | 16.5 fish/net set | 1986 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer august mn class 3 standard gill nets normal 0 4 to 3 7 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Flour Lake | Cook | 330 | 100.0 | index 1,624.2 | 4.92 fish/net set | 1981 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | East Bearskin Lake | Cook | 593 | 10.0 | index 1,584.1 | 2.67 fish/net set | 1981 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer august mn class 6 standard trap nets normal 0 1 to 0 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Gull Lake | Cook | 168 | 100.0 | index 149.4 | 0.89 fish/net set | 2017 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Caribou Lake | Cook | 721 | 0.0 | index 79.3 | 0.11 fish/net set | 2011 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer august mn class 6 standard trap nets normal 1 4 to 8 5 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Caribou Lake | Cook | 721 | 65.0 | index 562.1 | 0.78 fish/net set | 2011 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Iron Lake | Cook | 122 | 35.0 | index 550.2 | 4.5 fish/net set | 1984 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer july mn class 12 standard trap nets normal 0 3 to 6 4 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Binagami Lake | Cook | 117 | 100.0 | index 723.8 | 6.17 fish/net set | 2007 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Elbow Lake | Cook | 408 | 0.0 | index 612.5 | 1.5 fish/net set | 1991 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer july mn class 6 standard trap nets normal 0 1 to 0 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Caribou Lake | Cook | 721 | 100.0 | index 317.1 | 0.44 fish/net set | 2022 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Aspen Lake | Cook | 141 | 0.0 | index 46.6 | 0.33 fish/net set | 2020 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Ranked within standard summer july mn class 6 standard trap nets normal 1 4 to 8 5 catch per effort (fish per net set) — ranks restart at 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | Iron Lake | Cook | 122 | 90.0 | index 284.9 | 2.33 fish/net set | 1987 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| 2 | Caribou Lake | Cook | 721 | 10.0 | index 79.3 | 0.11 fish/net set | 2022 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer august mn class 12 standard trap nets normal 0 3 to 6 4 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Elbow Lake | Cook | 408 | — | — | 4.89 fish/net set | 2021 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer august mn class 12 standard trap nets normal 1 to 7 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Finger Lake | Cook | 204 | — | — | 0.11 fish/net set | 2018 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer august mn class 13 standard gill nets normal 2 5 to 14 3 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Ball Club Lake | Cook | 206 | — | — | 4.83 fish/net set | 2012 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer august mn class 16 standard trap nets normal 0 3 to 4 6 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Fourmile Lake | Cook | 593 | — | — | 0.11 fish/net set | 2016 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer august mn class 16 standard trap nets normal 0 9 to 8 3 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Lake Clara | Cook | 388 | — | — | 0.75 fish/net set | 2007 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer august mn class 17 standard trap nets normal 0 6 to 6 5 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Christine Lake | Cook | 184 | — | — | 3.6 fish/net set | 1995 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer august mn class 3 standard trap nets normal 0 1 to 0 4 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | East Bearskin Lake | Cook | 593 | — | — | 0.17 fish/net set | 2020 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 12 standard trap nets normal 1 to 7 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Finger Lake | Cook | 204 | — | — | 1.78 fish/net set | 2023 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 13 standard gill nets normal 2 5 to 14 3 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Ball Club Lake | Cook | 206 | — | — | 4.5 fish/net set | 2022 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 15 standard gill nets normal 2 to 16 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Little Iron Lake | Cook | 115 | — | — | 0.17 fish/net set | 2016 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 15 standard trap nets normal 0 4 to 6 5 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Little Iron Lake | Cook | 115 | — | — | 4.56 fish/net set | 2023 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 16 standard gill nets normal 4 7 to 15 8 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Lake Clara | Cook | 388 | — | — | 2.83 fish/net set | 2019 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 16 standard trap nets normal 0 9 to 8 3 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Lake Clara | Cook | 388 | — | — | 27.11 fish/net set | 2019 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 17 standard trap nets normal 0 6 to 6 5 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Christine Lake | Cook | 184 | — | — | 17.56 fish/net set | 2025 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer july mn class 3 standard trap nets normal 0 1 to 0 4 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Hungry Jack Lake | Cook | 474 | — | — | 0.2 fish/net set | 1984 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer june mn class 12 standard gill nets normal 2 2 to 14 6 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Bouder Lake | Cook | 129 | — | — | 1.33 fish/net set | 2014 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer june mn class 15 standard gill nets normal 2 to 16 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Little Iron Lake | Cook | 115 | — | — | 0.5 fish/net set | 2012 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Comparable standard summer june mn class 3 standard gill nets normal 0 4 to 3 7 catch per effort (fish per net set) — one lake recorded, no peer rank | ||||||||||
| — | Hungry Jack Lake | Cook | 474 | — | — | 6.33 fish/net set | 2020 | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| Documented species evidence — unranked and alphabetical | ||||||||||
| — | Brule Lake | Cook | 4,327 | — | — | — | — | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
| — | Leo Lake | Cook | 102 | — | — | — | — | No · 0% signal | No record | — |
Methodology
County ranks use the same statewide exact-family contract; systems with at least two eligible county peers restart at #1. The score is 55% survey rate × acreage, 35% survey rate, and 10% recency. Catch-per-effort × acreage is only an opportunity index, never a literal fish count. Documented acreage plus verified public or shore access are eligibility gates. Unsupported methods stay documented but unranked. See the complete definitions on the statewide panfish ranking.
FAQ
29 lakes receive at least one peer-backed, exact-lake numeric rank. Catch-per-effort systems separate species, phase, gear, unit, and sampled population; standardized adult-density estimates form their own system, so systems with at least two eligible county peers can each have a #1 in Cook County.
33 Cook County lakes have exact-water DNR survey evidence. Numeric rank still requires an exact comparable family plus the acreage and access gates.
Source data: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder fisheries surveys, lake classes, morphology, and public-access records. Rankings are LakeList's computed opinion from public agency data, not a DNR endorsement. Conditions and regulations change — verify access and rules before you go.