---
type: lake
name: "Big Cormorant Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Audubon"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 3657
max_depth_ft: 75
latitude: 46.76587
longitude: -96.06064
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "03057600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/big-cormorant-lake
---

# Big Cormorant Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Audubon

- **Surface Area**: 3,657 acres
- **Max Depth**: 75 ft
- **Shoreline**: 18.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 18.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (asphalt)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Cormorant Lake is a 3,657-acre lake near Audubon in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 75 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 18.7 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 76 Becker County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 2 public boat launches (asphalt surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 51 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (asphalt)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 19
- **Years of record**: 51
- **Earliest**: 2010-04-02
- **Latest**: 2013-05-15

## Nearby Lakes

- [Middle Cormorant Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/middle-cormorant-lake) - 2.3 miles, 373 acres
- [Leif Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/leif-lake) - 2.4 miles, 521 acres
- [Rossman Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/rossman-lake) - 3 miles, 273 acres
- [Lake Ida](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/lake-ida) - 3.1 miles, 632 acres
- [Upper Cormorant Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/upper-cormorant-lake) - 3.5 miles, 974 acres
- [Little Cormorant Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/little-cormorant-lake) - 3.7 miles, 1,067 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.76587,-96.06064)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03057600)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/big-cormorant-lake)*