---
type: lake
name: "Big Lake"
county: "Beltrami"
nearest_town: "Bemidji"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 3598
max_depth_ft: 35
latitude: 47.50785
longitude: -94.62253
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "04004900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/big-lake
---

# Big Lake

Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Bemidji

- **Surface Area**: 3,598 acres
- **Max Depth**: 35 ft
- **Average Depth**: 14 ft
- **Shoreline**: 16.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Lake is a 3,598-acre lake near Bemidji in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 35 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 14 feet, and has roughly 16.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.1 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. 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 25, based on 14 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, 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 25
- **Years of record**: 14
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-17
- **Latest**: 2008-05-12

## Nearby Lakes

- [Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/silver-lake) - 2.7 miles, 132 acres
- [Big Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/big-rice-lake) - 3.6 miles, 642 acres
- [Andrusia Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/andrusia-lake) - 3.8 miles, 1,596 acres
- [Swenson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/swenson-lake) - 4 miles, 412 acres
- [Little Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/little-rice-lake) - 4 miles, 123 acres
- [Lost Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/lost-lake) - 4.1 miles, 130 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.50785,-94.62253)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=04004900)
- [All lakes in Beltrami County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county)

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