Big Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

71008200

County

Sherburne

Surface area

254 acres

Maximum depth

48 feet

Mean depth

18 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

110 acres, 43% of the lake

Shoreline

2.4 miles

Average water clarity

12.5 feet (Secchi disk, 1 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

July 2017, standard survey

Surveys on record

8, since 1973

Game fish caught in the 2017 survey

bluegill 140, largemouth bass 77, northern pike 57, hybrid sunfish 35, pumpkinseed 33, black crappie 30, walleye 27, yellow perch 13

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, yellow perch, and 18 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye yearlings (235)

Stocked in 2024

walleye fingerlings (1,405)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fingerlings (2,700)

Stocking years on record

9 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)

Big Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 30 trailer spaces, toilet, run by City of Big Lake

Infested waters list

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel

Eating advice, general populations

bullhead: all sizes - 2 servings/week

Size

100 to 499 acres

Deepest point

30 to 59 feet

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Lake-specific eating advice

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota Department of Health fish consumption guidelines
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.