Little Winnibigoshish Lake
About Little Winnibigoshish Lake
Little Winnibigoshish Lake is a 1,002-acre lake near Deer River in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 28 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 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 2017.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service and US Army Corps of Engineers. Winnie Dam - COE is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with faucet snail and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Little Winnibigoshish Lake
- 1,002 acres, up to 28 feet deep, near Deer River
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service and US Army Corps of Engineers
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 8.5 feet
- Camping close to the water at Winnie Dam - COE
- Listed as infested with faucet snail and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,002 acres
- Max depth
- 28 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 209 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
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Winnie Dam - COE
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 16
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2017
- 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.
Camping & Reservations
Winnie Dam - COE is mapped on or near Little Winnibigoshish Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Winnibigoshish Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Little Ball Club Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River185 acres
1.5 miles away
Ball Club Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Ball Club4,335 acres
5.5 miles away
Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River619 acres
6.1 miles away
Cut Foot Sioux Lake
72 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Squaw Lake2,771 acres
6.4 miles away
Lake Winnibigoshish
79 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Bena56,471 acres
7.9 miles away
Six Mile Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Bena1,323 acres
9.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Winnibigoshish Lake?
Little Winnibigoshish Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Deer River. It covers 1,002 acres and reaches 28 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Winnibigoshish Lake?
Little Winnibigoshish Lake covers 1,002 acres with about 5.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 28 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Winnibigoshish Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Winnibigoshish Lake?
Yes. Little Winnibigoshish Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service and US Army Corps of Engineers. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Winnibigoshish Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Winnibigoshish 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 Little Winnibigoshish Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Winnibigoshish Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Little Winnibigoshish Lake?
Yes. Winnie Dam - COE is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Little Winnibigoshish Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Little Winnibigoshish Lake as infested with faucet snail and zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.