Big Stony Lake
About Big Stony Lake
Big Stony Lake is a 343-acre lake near Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 5.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.1 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2022.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 6 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Big Stony Lake
- 343 acres, up to 24 feet deep, near Park Rapids
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 9.1 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 343 acres
- Max depth
- 24 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 223 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
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 11
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- 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 24
- Years of record
- 6
- Earliest
- April 14, 2025
- Latest
- May 7, 2013
- Most recent
- April 14, 2025
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 Stony Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Fourth Crow Wing Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis434 acres
2.7 miles away
Third Crow Wing Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Hubbard643 acres
3.1 miles away
Fifth Crow Wing Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis400 acres
3.3 miles away
Second Crow Wing Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids221 acres
3.5 miles away
Peysenske Lake
18 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids220 acres
3.8 miles away
Long Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids1,926 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Stony Lake?
Big Stony Lake is in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Park Rapids. It covers 343 acres and reaches 24 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Big Stony Lake?
Big Stony Lake covers 343 acres with about 5.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 24 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Big Stony Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Stony Lake?
Yes. Big Stony 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 Stony Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Big Stony 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 Stony Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Big Stony Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Big Stony Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 24, from 6 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 14, 2025 and the latest is May 7, 2013.