---
type: lake
name: "Lake Winnibigoshish"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Bena"
lake_type: "reservoir"
acres: 56471
max_depth_ft: 69.8
latitude: 47.45011
longitude: -94.18677
lake_score: 79
dnr_lake_id: "11014700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/lake-winnibigoshish
---

# Lake Winnibigoshish

Reservoir in Cass County, Minnesota, near Bena

- **Surface Area**: 56,471 acres
- **Max Depth**: 70 ft
- **Average Depth**: 15 ft
- **Shoreline**: 69.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: reservoir
- **Public Access**: 8 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 79/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 8 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.
- **Walleye**: All from 18-23" must be immediately released. One over 23" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground, Marina

### Campgrounds

- Big Winnie RV Park & Campground
- Tamarack Point _USFS
- Winnie Campground
- Cut Foot Horse Camp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

faucet snail, starry stonewort, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 27
- **Years of record**: 31
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-30
- **Latest**: 2013-05-17

## Nearby Lakes

- [Sugar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/sugar-lake) - 5.7 miles, 1,509 acres
- [Cut Foot Sioux Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/cut-foot-sioux-lake) - 6.3 miles, 2,771 acres
- [Little Winnibigoshish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-winnibigoshish-lake) - 7.9 miles, 1,002 acres
- [Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-cut-foot-sioux-lake) - 8.2 miles, 619 acres
- [Little Ball Club Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-ball-club-lake) - 9.2 miles, 185 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/portage-lake) - 9.4 miles, 1,539 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.45011,-94.18677)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11014700)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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