Big Sucker Lake

How big is Big Sucker Lake?

How deep is Big Sucker Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Big Sucker Lake?

What are the closest cities to Big Sucker Lake?

Are there boat launches on Big Sucker Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Big Sucker Lake?

Big Sucker Lake is a 230 acre lake located 4 miles west of Nashwauk, MN in the Mississippi River watershed. Big Sucker Lake has somewhat stained water and a maximum depth of 36 feet. There is a DNR-owned public access at the south end of the lake.

The lake management plan (LMP) was last updated in 2004. Black Crappie and Northern Pike were considered primary management species, and Largemouth Bass was considered a secondary management species. A standard lake survey was conducted in August 2019 to assess the status of the fish community.

Net catches of Black Crappie have varied considerably over the years. Inconsistent recruitment is a common trait of crappie populations, leading to variable catch rates and boom and bust angling cycles. The 2019 trap-net catch was average for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. The gill-net catch rate was above the typical range and the highest on record. Size structure was poor with most fish ranging from 4 to 8 inches. Few crappie exceeded 10 inches. Age analysis indicated a high proportion of younger-aged fish. Ages 2 through 6 were represented, but age 3 and 4 fish made up 75% of the sample. Growth was considered slow, with crappie averaging 7.7 inches at age 5.

Gill-net catches for Northern Pike in previous surveys have been within the typical range for similar lakes. The 2019 catch rate was below the typical range and the lowest recorded for the lake. Northern Pike size structure was moderate. Pike ranged from 17.2 to 29.9 inches with an average length of 23.4 inches. Six year classes from age 2 to age 7 were sampled. Growth was considered average; pike exceeded 22 inches after four years. The north central pike zone regulation implemented in 2018 requires anglers to release pike from 22-26 inches, while allowing for more harvest of small pike. It is hoped that this regulation will improve size quality on Big Sucker Lake.

Standard summer netting typically does not provide a good assessment of a lake's Largemouth Bass population, so night electrofishing is the preferred method to evaluate this species. Electrofishing has not been conducted on Big Sucker Lake, but anecdotal reports suggest Largemouth Bass are present in fishable numbers. Low numbers of bass were sampled in gill nets and trap nets. Catch rates were typical for lakes with similar habitat. Sampled fish ranged from 6.3 to 17.3 inches. Big Sucker Lake likely provides fair angling opportunities for bass.

The trap-net catch for Bluegill was average for the lake and within the typical range for similar lakes. Size structure has generally been poor with few fish exceeding 8 inches sampled in any survey. Bluegill from the 2019 trap-net sample ranged from 3.0 to 8.4 inches with an average length of 5.3 inches. Age and growth information was not collected.

Yellow Perch have been sampled in numbers typical for the lake class in all surveys. The 2019 gill-net catch was the lowest catch recorded for the lake. Gill-net sampled perch averaged 5.9 inches. Perch have generally been too small to be of interest to anglers, but are an important prey item for other gamefish.

Walleye gill-net catches have generally been low, but within the typical range for this type of lake. The 2019 catch rate was about average for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. Sampled Walleye were relatively large, ranging from 20.6 to 25.8 inches. Age analysis showed all Walleye were from the 2009 or 2011 year classes. These year classes correspond to years of fingerling stocking. Fish were purchased and stocked by private citizens under a DNR permit. Growth was average; Walleye exceeded 17 inches after 5 years.

Other species sampled in the latest survey included Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed Sunfish and White Sucker.

What is the average air temp for Big Sucker Lake?

Are there any state parks near Big Sucker Lake?