---
type: lake
name: "Big McCarthy Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Cooley"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 104
max_depth_ft: 45
latitude: 47.41
longitude: -93.26348
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "31012000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-mccarthy-lake
---

# Big McCarthy Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Cooley

- **Surface Area**: 104 acres
- **Max Depth**: 45 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big McCarthy Lake is a 104-acre lake near Cooley in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 45 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.5 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2008.

There is one public boat launch (asphalt surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2008
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Big Sucker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-sucker-lake) - 1.7 miles, 259 acres
- [Nashwauk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/nashwauk-lake) - 3 miles, 168 acres
- [Bray Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/bray-lake) - 3.8 miles, 177 acres
- [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/crooked-lake) - 4 miles, 465 acres
- [Shoal Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/shoal-lake-nashwauk) - 4.4 miles, 266 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/bass-lake-marble) - 4.6 miles, 131 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.41,-93.26348)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31012000)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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