---
type: lake
name: "Big Trout Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Manhattan Beach"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1366
max_depth_ft: 128
latitude: 46.71564
longitude: -94.15751
lake_score: 68
dnr_lake_id: "18031500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/big-trout-lake
---

# Big Trout Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Manhattan Beach

- **Surface Area**: 1,366 acres
- **Max Depth**: 128 ft
- **Average Depth**: 52 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 13.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 68/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Trout Lake is a 1,366-acre lake near Manhattan Beach in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 128 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 52 feet, and has roughly 8.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth 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 crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. 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 23, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Army Corps of Engineers
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 20
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, 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 23
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-07
- **Latest**: 2013-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/island-lake-cross-lake) - 1.2 miles, 232 acres
- [Rush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/rush-lake) - 1.7 miles, 858 acres
- [Ox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/ox-lake) - 2 miles, 241 acres
- [Arrowhead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/arrowhead-lake) - 2.8 miles, 296 acres
- [Pig Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/pig-lake) - 3 miles, 196 acres
- [Whitefish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/whitefish-lake) - 3.2 miles, 7,714 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.71564,-94.15751)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18031500)
- [All lakes in Crow Wing County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county)

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