---
type: lake
name: "Big Fish Lake"
county: "Stearns"
nearest_town: "Cold Spring"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 557
max_depth_ft: 70
latitude: 45.51818
longitude: -94.4675
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "73010600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/big-fish-lake
---

# Big Fish Lake

Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Cold Spring

- **Surface Area**: 557 acres
- **Max Depth**: 70 ft
- **Average Depth**: 26 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 17 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Fish Lake is a 557-acre lake near Cold Spring in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 26 feet, and has roughly 5.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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 2025.

There is one public boat launch (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.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/long-lake-jacobs-prairie) - 0.7 miles, 153 acres
- [Big Watab Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/big-watab-lake) - 2.5 miles, 246 acres
- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/clear-lake) - 3.3 miles, 118 acres
- [Kalla Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/kalla-lake) - 3.3 miles, 106 acres
- [Pitts Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/pitts-lake) - 3.7 miles, 114 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/island-lake) - 4.2 miles, 116 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.51818,-94.4675)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=73010600)
- [All lakes in Stearns County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county)

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