Big Birch Lake

How big is Big Birch Lake?

How deep is Big Birch Lake?

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

What are the closest cities to Big Birch Lake?

Are there boat launches on Big Birch Lake?

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

What aquatic invasive species are found in Big Birch Lake?

Big Birch Lake consists of two connected basins that cover 2,108 acres straddling the Todd/Stearns County line. A variety of fishing hot spots can be found around the lake such as islands, bays, sunken islands and bars, vegetation beds, and rock piles which provide a multitude of angling experiences. The lake has five accesses which are open to the public, four with concrete ramps. Although strides have been made to improve water quality in the lake, late summer water clarity was moderate to poor in 2014. Big Birch State Forest Campground which is located on the southwest side the lake has both a public boat access and fishing pier. The lake had an experimental regulation which requires the release of all northern pike between 24 and 36 inches with one over 36 inches allowed in possession. The objective of the regulation was to improve the northern pike population size structure. After extensive assessments and public review, a decision was made to drop the regulation and return the pike limit to the statewide regulation. The change will take effect for the 2015 spring fishing opener.
The lake supports a variety of gamefish that attract anglers. The primary management focus is on Walleye and Northern Pike with secondary management on Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. Annual fry stocking is the current management strategy for maintaining the Walleye population in Big Birch Lake as limited natural reproduction has been documented. Walleye numbers appear to have declined in the last two surveys. While numbers are below the management goal for the lake, the catch rate remained within the normal range for this type of lake. Anglers are also reporting good Walleye fishing in the winter season. There was a broad range of sizes observed in the summer survey so there should be a size available for every type of angler.
Northern Pike numbers also showed a decrease in the last two surveys but continue to be high when compared to similar type lakes and above management goals. While only a few pike over 36 inches have been observed during sampling efforts, the survey results and angler reports suggest an increase in the number of medium size fish from three to six pounds. Some lake home owners reported seeing more fishermen trolling for Northern Pike than ever before.
Big Birch Lake has abundant populations of both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Trophy-size bass up to 20 inches have been documented in surveys and reported by anglers, but the average size of both species in the 2014 survey was between 11 and 13 inches. Panfish species in the lake include Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, and Rock Bass. Quality size crappie up to 12 inches and Bluegill up to 8.5 inches were observed in the summer survey, but larger fish of both species have been documented in some spring assessments. Tullibee (Cisco) and Yellow Perch abundance appears to have decreased significantly since the last survey and numbers look low when compared to similar type lakes. White Sucker numbers continue to be low also. Having higher populations of these three species could be important to help maintain good growth rates in both Northern Pike and Walleye. The range of Tullibee sizes observed could provide a prey source to the larger predator fish as well as attract anglers. Most of the perch were too small to be of interest to anglers, but they were a good size as a food source for gamefish. Other fish species netted during the summer survey included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, and Yellow Bullhead. Yellow bullheads were the most abundant of the three bullhead species. Individuals over 13 inches were found in all three species. Two additional species that were sampled in the spring assessment were Bowfin or Dogfish and Common Carp.
Fishermen and recreational boaters are reminded that they need to be diligent about cleaning both their boats and trailers when going between lakes to prevent the spread of exotics. Improving the water quality in Big Birch Lake has been and should be a high priority of the lake association and landowners around the lake. Preservation of the emergent vegetation beds can improve water quality, reduce shoreline erosion, and provide valuable fish habitat.

What is the average air temp for Big Birch Lake?

Are there any state parks near Big Birch Lake?