---
type: lake
name: "Big Kandiyohi Lake"
county: "Kandiyohi"
nearest_town: "Lake Lillian"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2730
max_depth_ft: 18
latitude: 44.99553
longitude: -94.94596
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "34008600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/big-kandiyohi-lake
---

# Big Kandiyohi Lake

Lake in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, near Lake Lillian

- **Surface Area**: 2,730 acres
- **Max Depth**: 18 ft
- **Shoreline**: 14.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Kandiyohi Lake is a 2,730-acre lake near Lake Lillian in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 14.3 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 31 Kandiyohi County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.5 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie. 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 2024.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the county and Minnesota DNR. Big Kandiyohi Lake County Park East Campgrounds and Big Kandiyohi Lake County Park West Campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county, Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Big Kandiyohi Lake County Park East Campgrounds
- Big Kandiyohi Lake County Park West Campgrounds

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Lillian](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-lillian) - 4.1 miles, 1,151 acres
- [Lake Wakanda](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-wakanda) - 5 miles, 1,760 acres
- [Lake Minnetaga](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-minnetaga) - 7 miles, 791 acres
- [Lake Elizabeth](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/lake-elizabeth) - 8.4 miles, 1,023 acres
- [Ella Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/ella-lake) - 8.7 miles, 153 acres
- [Carrie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county/carrie-lake) - 9.8 miles, 89 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.99553,-94.94596)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=34008600)
- [All lakes in Kandiyohi County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kandiyohi-county)

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