Big Watab Lake
Stearns County, Minnesota
Share Your Catch & Win!
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Watab Lake, MN
- How big is Big Watab Lake?
- How deep is Big Watab Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Big Watab Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Big Watab Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Big Watab Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Big Watab Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Big Watab Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Big Watab Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Big Watab Lake?
How big is Big Watab Lake?
How deep is Big Watab Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Big Watab Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Central Mudminnow, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Least Darter, Pugnose Shiner, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Big Watab Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Big Watab Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Big Watab Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Big Watab Lake?
What aquatic invasive species are found in Big Watab Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Big Watab Lake was conducted on September 5th, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample one station. Nearshore sampling captured seventeen species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Big Watab Lake is healthy, as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Big Watab Lake fully supported aquatic life use based on the FIBI. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Sartell Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
What is the average air temp for Big Watab Lake?
Are there any state parks near Big Watab 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 Watab Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Schmid Lake | 0.9 mi | 38 | 34 ft |
| Schuman Lake | 1.3 mi | 22 | |
| Kalla Lake | 1.6 mi | 106 | 48 ft |
| Little Watab Lake | 1.8 mi | 57 | 22 ft |
| Long Lake | 2.1 mi | 30 | |
| Kreigle Lake | 2.3 mi | 102 | 66 ft |
| Long Lake | 2.3 mi | 153 | 46 ft |
| Minnie Lake | 2.4 mi | 27 | 57 ft |
| Big Fish Lake | 2.5 mi | 557 | 70 ft |
| Pitts Lake | 2.5 mi | 114 | 18 ft |
