Moosehead Lake vs Big Lake
Two of the top-scoring lakes in Carlton County, Minnesota, side by side.
Big Lake is the larger of the two at 526 acres against 279 for Moosehead Lake. On our rankings, Moosehead Lake comes out ahead for fishing, Moosehead Lake comes out ahead for swimming, Big Lake comes out ahead for boating, Moosehead Lake comes out ahead for camping, Big Lake comes out ahead for paddling, and Moosehead Lake comes out ahead for ice fishing.
| Measure | Moosehead Lake | Big Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Score | 64 / 100 | 62 / 100 |
| Nearest town | Moose Lake | Sawyer |
| Surface area | 279 acres | 526 acres |
| Max depth | 18 ft | 25 ft |
| Shoreline | 3.2 mi | 8.1 mi |
| Water clarity | 4.4 ft | 13.2 ft |
| Public access | 1 public boat launch (concrete) | 1 public boat launch (concrete) |
| Fish species | 14 | 9 |
| Game fish | Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie | Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed |
| Stocked | No | Yes |
| Special regulations | Yes | No |
| Swim beach | Yes | No |
| Camping | Yes | No |
| Invasive species | None listed | None listed |
Which lake is better for…
- FishingMoosehead Lake
- SwimmingMoosehead Lake
- BoatingBig Lake
- CampingMoosehead Lake
- PaddlingBig Lake
- Ice FishingMoosehead Lake
The lakes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Moosehead Lake or Big Lake?
Big Lake is bigger at 526 acres; Moosehead Lake covers 279 acres.
Which is deeper, Moosehead Lake or Big Lake?
Big Lake is deeper, with a maximum depth of 25 feet against 18 feet.
Is Moosehead Lake or Big Lake better for fishing?
Moosehead Lake ranks higher for fishing in this directory, based on game species, lake size, access and stocking. Moosehead Lake lists 14 species and Big Lake lists 9.