---
type: lake
name: "Big Pine Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Perham"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 4728
max_depth_ft: 76
latitude: 46.61107
longitude: -95.48587
lake_score: 59
dnr_lake_id: "56013000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/big-pine-lake
---

# Big Pine Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Perham

- **Surface Area**: 4,728 acres
- **Max Depth**: 76 ft
- **Shoreline**: 14.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 59/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Pine Lake is a 4,728-acre lake near Perham in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 76 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 14.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.4 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie, sunfish, and walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 21 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 20
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie**: Daily limit five.
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.
- **Walleye**: All from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Sturgeon, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 24
- **Years of record**: 21
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-30
- **Latest**: 2022-05-07

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/little-pine-lake) - 3.7 miles, 2,080 acres
- [Bear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/bear-lake) - 6.4 miles, 198 acres
- [Dead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/dead-lake) - 8.1 miles, 270 acres
- [Devils Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/devils-lake) - 8.1 miles, 355 acres
- [Boedigheimer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/boedigheimer-lake) - 8.3 miles, 169 acres
- [Rush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/rush-lake) - 8.8 miles, 5,276 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.61107,-95.48587)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56013000)
- [All lakes in Otter Tail County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county)

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