Lake Winnibigoshish
About Lake Winnibigoshish
Lake Winnibigoshish is a 56,471-acre reservoir near Bena in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 69.8 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 134 Cass County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth 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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish and walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 8 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. Big Winnie RV Park & Campground and Tamarack Point _USFS are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with faucet snail, starry stonewort, and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 31 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lake Winnibigoshish
- 56,471 acres, up to 70 feet deep, near Bena
- 8 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 12.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Big Winnie RV Park & Campground and Tamarack Point _USFS
- Listed as infested with faucet snail, starry stonewort, and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 8 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 56,471 acres
- Max depth
- 70 ft
- Average depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 69.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 18,904 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
- 8 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Big Winnie RV Park & Campground, Tamarack Point _USFS, and Winnie Campground
- Marina
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Power boating and big-water cruising
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 19
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit five.
- Walleye: All from 18-23" must be immediately released. One over 23" allowed in possession.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 27
- Years of record
- 31
- Earliest
- March 30, 2012
- Latest
- May 17, 2013
- Most recent
- April 27, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Big Winnie RV Park & Campground, Tamarack Point _USFS, Winnie Campground, and Cut Foot Horse Camp are mapped on or near Lake Winnibigoshish. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Lake Winnibigoshish
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Nearby Lakes
Sugar Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cass Lake1,509 acres
5.7 miles away
Cut Foot Sioux Lake
72 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Squaw Lake2,771 acres
6.3 miles away
Little Winnibigoshish Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River1,002 acres
7.9 miles away
Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River619 acres
8.2 miles away
Little Ball Club Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River185 acres
9.2 miles away
Portage Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Bena1,539 acres
9.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Winnibigoshish?
Lake Winnibigoshish is in Cass County, Minnesota, near Bena. It covers 56,471 acres and reaches 70 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lake Winnibigoshish?
Lake Winnibigoshish covers 56,471 acres with about 69.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 70 feet and its average depth is about 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lake Winnibigoshish?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Winnibigoshish?
Yes. Lake Winnibigoshish has 8 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lake Winnibigoshish?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lake Winnibigoshish. 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 Lake Winnibigoshish stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lake Winnibigoshish; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Lake Winnibigoshish?
Yes. Daily limit five. All from 18-23" must be immediately released. One over 23" allowed in possession.
When does the ice go out on Lake Winnibigoshish?
The median ice-out date is April 27, from 31 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 30, 2012 and the latest is May 17, 2013.
Can you camp at Lake Winnibigoshish?
Yes. Big Winnie RV Park & Campground, Tamarack Point _USFS, and Winnie Campground are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Lake Winnibigoshish have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Lake Winnibigoshish as infested with faucet snail, starry stonewort, and zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.