---
type: lake
name: "Big Stone Lake"
county: "Big Stone"
nearest_town: "Ortonville"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 11984
max_depth_ft: 16
latitude: 45.42741
longitude: -96.62781
lake_score: 77
dnr_lake_id: "06015200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/big-stone-lake
---

# Big Stone Lake

Lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, near Ortonville

- **Surface Area**: 11,984 acres
- **Max Depth**: 16 ft
- **Average Depth**: 11 ft
- **Shoreline**: 119.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 4.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 14 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 77/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with South Dakota

## About

Big Stone Lake is an 11,984-acre lake near Ortonville in Big Stone County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 11 feet, and has roughly 119.9 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Big Stone County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.7 feet. The lake is a border water shared with South Dakota, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 23 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 14 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR, township, and city. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Big Stone Lake State Park Campground and Riverside Park Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. 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 10, based on 125 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 14 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, township, city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 23
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Fishing Pier, Picnic Area

### Campgrounds

- Big Stone Lake State Park Campground
- Riverside Park Campground
- Big Stone County Toqua Park

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Lake Sturgeon, White Bass, Rock Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Golden Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, Quillback, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 10
- **Years of record**: 125
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-14
- **Latest**: 2013-05-08

## Nearby Lakes

- [Eli Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/eli-lake) - 9.9 miles, 162 acres
- [Barry Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/barry-lake) - 10.2 miles, 398 acres
- [Swenson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/swenson-lake) - 10.2 miles, 204 acres
- [North Rothwell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/north-rothwell-lake) - 10.6 miles, 297 acres
- [East Toqua Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/east-toqua-lake) - 12.9 miles, 437 acres
- [Lannon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/lannon-lake) - 12.9 miles, 197 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.42741,-96.62781)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=06015200)
- [All lakes in Big Stone County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county)

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