---
type: lake
name: "Big Sugar Bush Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Richwood"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 522
max_depth_ft: 42
latitude: 47.04407
longitude: -95.78463
lake_score: 65
dnr_lake_id: "03030400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/big-sugar-bush-lake
---

# Big Sugar Bush Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Richwood

- **Surface Area**: 522 acres
- **Max Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 14.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 15.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 65/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Sugar Bush Lake is a 522-acre lake near Richwood in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 14.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 25 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 17
- **Years of record**: 25
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-31
- **Latest**: 2022-05-06

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Sugar Bush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/little-sugar-bush-lake) - 2.9 miles, 221 acres
- [Net Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/net-lake) - 4.2 miles, 230 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/bass-lake-white-earth) - 4.4 miles, 126 acres
- [Strawberry Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/strawberry-lake) - 4.4 miles, 1,498 acres
- [Buffalo Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/buffalo-lake) - 5.1 miles, 418 acres
- [White Earth Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/white-earth-lake) - 6 miles, 1,989 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.04407,-95.78463)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03030400)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

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