Big Lake
About Big Lake
Big Lake is a 526-acre lake near Sawyer in Carlton County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 8.1 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Carlton County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, 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 2020.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Big Lake
- 526 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Sawyer
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 13.2 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 526 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Average depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 440 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Northern Pike fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2020
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 19
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- March 13, 2024
- Latest
- May 14, 2013
- Most recent
- April 18, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Big Lake
Compare Big Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Big Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Big Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Big Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Big Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Torch Light Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Sawyer126 acres
3.2 miles away
Bob Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Sawyer77 acres
4.7 miles away
Park Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Mahtowa381 acres
5.8 miles away
West Twin Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Brookston121 acres
7.1 miles away
Chub Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Carlton313 acres
9.7 miles away
Hay Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Wrenshall140 acres
10.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Lake?
Big Lake is in Carlton County, Minnesota, near Sawyer. It covers 526 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Big Lake?
Big Lake covers 526 acres with about 8.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet and its average depth is about 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Big Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Lake?
Yes. Big Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Big Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Big Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Big Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Big Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Big Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 19, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 13, 2024 and the latest is May 14, 2013.