---
type: lake
name: "Big Ole Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Marcell"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 217
max_depth_ft: 65
latitude: 47.56973
longitude: -93.61564
lake_score: 46
dnr_lake_id: "31067000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-ole-lake
---

# Big Ole Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Marcell

- **Surface Area**: 217 acres
- **Max Depth**: 65 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.7 miles
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 46/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Ole Lake is a 217-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.7 miles of shoreline.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2001.

Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2001
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Hybrid Sunfish, Warmouth

## Nearby Lakes

- [Big Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/big-island-lake) - 0.9 miles, 244 acres
- [Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/smith-lake) - 1.6 miles, 209 acres
- [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/crooked-lake-marcell) - 1.8 miles, 134 acres
- [Three Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/three-island-lake) - 2 miles, 250 acres
- [East Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/east-smith-lake) - 2 miles, 152 acres
- [North Star Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/north-star-lake) - 2.6 miles, 832 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.56973,-93.61564)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31067000)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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