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The lake is a popular destination for fishing, with walleye, northern pike, bluegill, and perch being the most commonly caught species. Anglers can fish from shore or by boat, with several boat ramps located around the lake. The lake is also home to several resorts and campgrounds, providing a range of accommodations for visitors.
In addition to fishing, Big Stone Lake offers opportunities for boating, swimming, and water sports. The lake is surrounded by several parks, including Big Stone Lake State Park, which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a swimming beach.
The area around Big Stone Lake is also rich in history and culture, with several museums and historic sites located nearby. The Big Stone County Historical Society Museum in Ortonville features exhibits on the area's Native American history, pioneer life, and agriculture.
Overall, Big Stone Lake is a beautiful natural resource and a popular recreational destination for visitors to Minnesota and South Dakota.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Stone Lake, MN
- How big is Big Stone Lake?
- How deep is Big Stone Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Big Stone Lake?
- Are there fishing guides or charters for Big Stone Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Big Stone Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Big Stone Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Big Stone Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Big Stone Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Big Stone Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Big Stone Lake?
How big is Big Stone Lake?
How deep is Big Stone Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Big Stone Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Bigmouth Shiner, Blacknose Dace, Blackside Darter, Bluntnose Minnow, Brassy Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Central Stoneroller, Common Shiner, Creek Chub, Emerald Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Freshwater Drum, Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hornyhead Chub, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Orangespotted Sunfish, Quillback, Rosyface Shiner, Sand Shiner, Shorthead Redhorse, Spotfin Shiner, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
Are there fishing guides or charters for Big Stone Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Big Stone Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Big Stone Lake?
Are there boat launches on Big Stone Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Big Stone Lake?
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History & Status of the Fishery
Big Stone Lake is located in western Minnesota adjacent to Ortonville. It is a narrow lake that measures 27 miles long and up to one mile wide. Big Stone has a surface area of 12,610 acres and a maximum depth of 16 feet. It is a highly productive lake and a popular recreational destination in west-central Minnesota. Big Stone is a Minnesota-South Dakota border water and is subject to border water fishing regulations. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks cooperatively manage the fishery. A creel survey is being conducted on Big Stone Lake through the summer of 2017. A DNR clerk will be asking anglers about their catch. It is important to provide accurate information to the clerk because the data collected will be used to evaluate the fishery.
During recent years fishing for Yellow Perch has been very good at Big Stone Lake. Angling pressure for perch has been high, especially during fall and winter. Most adult perch were 8.5-11.5 inches during 2015. Moderate numbers of young-of-year perch were present and they are expected to help maintain the population into the future.
Big Stone Lake has provided a high quality Walleye population for many years. Walleye from a wide range of sizes were present in 2015, with fish from 12-17 inches most abundant. Larger fish up to 28 inches were also present. The Walleye population has been maintained by natural reproduction and supplemental fry stocking. Walleye fry are normally stocked during even years, but the schedule is adjusted as needed based on Walleye abundance, their condition, and available forage.
Moderate numbers of Bluegill, with many over nine inches, have been present during recent years and anglers occasionally report good catches of them from localized areas. Although few adult Black Crappie were caught in test nets, their numbers have been increasing based on angler reports and observations during commercial winter carp seining. Numerous young Bluegill and crappie were caught in the 2015 survey. If these fish survive and experience average growth, anglers can expect decent fishing for these species in the near future.
Although Northern Pike abundance has historically been low on Big Stone Lake, the opportunity to catch a trophy does exist. Pike up to 39 inches were sampled in test nets, and numerous pike nearing 40 inches were observed during commercial winter seining.
Fishing for White Bass and Freshwater Drum has been good in recent years. White bass and drum are well suited to the lake's habitat and they frequently experience good natural reproduction. Both species have a delicate white flesh and provide excellent table fair. Their flavor can be further improved by trimming the reddish "mud line" meat from the fillets when cleaning. Anglers are encouraged to harvest and consume them. Excellent recipes for preparing drum can be located on the internet by searching "drum recipes".
What is the average air temp for Big Stone Lake?
Are there any state parks near Big Stone Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
Big Stone Lake Reviews
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More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Big Stone Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Unnamed Lake | 9.5 mi | 44 | 18.5 ft |
| Swenson Lake | 10.2 mi | 204 | 0 ft |
| Eli Lake | 10.3 mi | 162 | 5 ft |
| Barry Lake | 11.3 mi | 398 | 8.8 ft |
| North Rothwell Lake | 11.3 mi | 297 | 13 ft |
| East Toqua Lake | 13.7 mi | 437 | 9 ft |
| Lannon Lake | 13.8 mi | 197 | 4 ft |
| Munnwyler Lake | 13.8 mi | 33 | 22.5 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 14.0 mi | 64 | 13 ft |
| Long Tom Lake | 14.6 mi | 147 | 15 ft |
