---
type: lake
name: "Big Island Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Marcell"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 244
max_depth_ft: 42
latitude: 47.57001
longitude: -93.59555
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "31067100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-island-lake
---

# Big Island Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Marcell

- **Surface Area**: 244 acres
- **Max Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 14 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Island Lake is a 244-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the US Forest Service.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 6
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch

## Nearby Lakes

- [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/crooked-lake-marcell) - 0.9 miles, 134 acres
- [Big Ole Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-ole-lake) - 0.9 miles, 217 acres
- [Three Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/three-island-lake) - 1.2 miles, 250 acres
- [Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/smith-lake) - 2 miles, 209 acres
- [East Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/east-smith-lake) - 2.2 miles, 152 acres
- [Clubhouse Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/clubhouse-lake) - 2.6 miles, 265 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.57001,-93.59555)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31067100)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-island-lake)*