Big Lake

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 topographical lake maps available Big Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Big Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Big Lake

Are there boat launches on Big Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Big Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Big Lake?

Big Lake is a 251 acre lake located in Sherburne County within the city limits of Big Lake. It is connected to Mitchell Lake via a navigable channel. Big Lake has a maximum depth of 48 feet and a small watershed primarily composed of development, open water, and row crops. A city owned public access is located at the southwest corner of the lake near Highway 10. Big Lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike and was last surveyed in 2004. Anglers can expect good fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass.

No emergent or floating leaf vegetation was found in the current survey. Submerged vegetation is widespread and was surveyed in 2009; chara was the dominant species, followed by curly leaf pondweed, coontail, bushy pondweed, and northern water milfoil. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was 12.5 feet in late July and MPCA data show a summer average of 10 feet over the last ten years. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish to 21 feet in late July.

Northern Pike numbers were above the expected range of values for lakes similar to Big Lake, but lower than 2004. Most pike were small; only 11% were 24 inches or longer, compared to 17% in 2004. Lengths ranged from 12.1 to 26.7 inches with an average length and weight of 20.5 inches and 1.9 pounds.

Largemouth Bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing on May 19. The catch rate of 50/hr. was near the Sauk Rapids area daytime average of 43/hour. Lengths ranged from 4.7 to 18.3 inches with an average length of 11.1 inches. Of catchable size fish (>8 inches), 16% were 15 inches or longer.

Walleye were stocked intermittently through 1997, but were not stocked between 1997 and 2014. Since 2014, fingerling or larger Walleye have been stocked annually by either the DNR or the lake association. The Walleye catch in 2017 was within the expected range of values for similar lakes and higher than 2004. Lengths ranged from 6.4 to 21.4 inches with an average length and weight of 16.3 inches and 1.7 pounds. Walleye ages ranged from two to four years old and growth was fast, reaching 15 inches in three years.

The Bluegill catch was lower than 2004, but within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 2.8 to 8.3 inches with an average length of 5.1 inches. Targeted sampling using trap nets was conducted in late May to better assess Bluegill numbers and size. The Bluegill catch rate was higher than the standard survey and the average size was longer (5.9 inches), but the percentage of fish eight inches or longer was the same (1% in both surveys).

Black Crappie numbers were low overall and similar to 2004 results. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 5.3 to 11.8 inches with an average length of 7.5 inches. Black Crappie were measured during the targeted Bluegill survey and crappie size was larger than the standard survey. Average length was 9.2 inches and 22% were ten inches or longer, compared to 10% in the standard survey.

Yellow Perch numbers were very low in 2017 and have been low since 1989. Lengths ranged from 5.3 to 10 inches with a mean length of 7.1 inches. Other species sampled included: Bowfin (dogfish), Common Carp, Green and Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead. Surprisingly, Black Bullheads were caught in average numbers in 2004, but none were found in 2017. However, Yellow Bullhead numbers increased substantially.

What is the average air temp for Big Lake?