Big Lake
About Big Lake
Big Lake is a 458-acre lake near Richmond in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 7.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 11, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Big Lake
- 458 acres, up to 42 feet deep, near Richmond
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 6.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 458 acres
- Max depth
- 42 ft
- Average depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 227 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
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 11
- Years of record
- 8
- Earliest
- March 1, 2017
- Latest
- May 1, 2018
- Most recent
- April 20, 2019
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Big Lake
Compare Big Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Big Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Horseshoe Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Richmond629 acres
2.2 miles away
Becker Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Richmond221 acres
2.3 miles away
Long Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Richmond487 acres
2.9 miles away
North Brown's Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Eden Valley312 acres
3.3 miles away
Cedar Island Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Richmond986 acres
3.8 miles away
Rice Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Paynesville1,513 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Lake?
Big Lake is in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Richmond. It covers 458 acres and reaches 42 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Big Lake?
Big Lake covers 458 acres with about 7.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 42 feet and its average depth is about 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Big Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Lake?
Yes. Big Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Big Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Big 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 Big Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Big Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Big Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 11, from 8 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 1, 2017 and the latest is May 1, 2018.