Big Lake
Carlton County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 2-4 PM. SEE MORE
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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Lake, MN
- How big is Big Lake?
- How deep is Big Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Big Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Big Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Big Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Big Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Big Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Big Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Big Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Big Lake?
How big is Big Lake?
How deep is Big Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Big Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Big Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Big Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Big Lake?
Are there boat launches on Big Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Big Lake?
Explore the Big Lake area in a RV
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History & Status of the Fishery
Big Lake is a 526-acre lake located near Sawyer, Minnesota with 84% (440 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 25 feet. A DNR administered, concrete, back-in access is located off County Road #112. Largemouth Bass and Bluegill are the primary management species. Big was last surveyed in 2013. Big was surveyed during the summer of 2020 to update information about fish populations.
Spring Largemouth Bass sampling was suspended during the 2020 due to the pandemic. Previous spring Largemouth Bass electrofishing assessments have shown a robust Largemouth Bass population in Big Lake. Largemouth Bass gillnet abundance of 1.4 per lift was above average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. The proportion of adult Largemouth Bass captured in gillnets that exceeded preferred size (greater than 15 inches) was 38%.
Bluegill abundance of 15.0 per trapnet lift was up from 2013 (6.8) and average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Bluegill average length was 4.5 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. One large specimen over nine inches long was captured in the gillnets.
Northern Pike abundance of 12.4 per gillnet lift was up from 2013 (11.4) and above average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Average length was 20.0 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. The proportion of adult Northern Pike captured that exceeded preferred size (greater than 28 inches) was 9%, while the proportion that exceeded memorable size (greater than 34 inches) was 1%.
Black Crappie abundance of 3.2 per trapnet lift was down from 2013 (5.6) and average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black Crappie average length was 7.0 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes.
What is the average air temp for Big Lake?
Are there any state parks near Big Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Big Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Sofie Lake | 0.8 mi | 32 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.4 mi | 23,816 | |
| Perch Lake | 2.1 mi | 672 | |
| Wild Rice Lake | 2.2 mi | 54 | |
| Cedar Lake | 2.7 mi | 59 | |
| Rice Portage Lake | 3.1 mi | 116 | |
| Torch Light Lake | 3.2 mi | 126 | 14 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.3 mi | 10 | |
| Miller Lake | 3.9 mi | 158 | |
| Spring Lake | 4.0 mi | 25 |
