---
type: lake
name: "Big Watab Lake"
county: "Stearns"
nearest_town: "Avon"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 246
max_depth_ft: 123
latitude: 45.55157
longitude: -94.45036
lake_score: 67
dnr_lake_id: "73010200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/big-watab-lake
---

# Big Watab Lake

Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Avon

- **Surface Area**: 246 acres
- **Max Depth**: 123 ft
- **Average Depth**: 44 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 16 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 67/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Watab Lake is a 246-acre lake near Avon in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 123 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 44 feet, and has roughly 4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16 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. Ice typically goes out around April 14, based on 72 years of DNR ice-out records.

## 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, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 14
- **Years of record**: 72
- **Earliest**: 2025-03-19
- **Latest**: 2013-05-07

## Nearby Lakes

- [Kalla Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/kalla-lake) - 1.7 miles, 106 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/long-lake-jacobs-prairie) - 2.3 miles, 153 acres
- [Kreigle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/kreigle-lake) - 2.3 miles, 102 acres
- [Big Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/big-fish-lake) - 2.5 miles, 557 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/island-lake) - 2.5 miles, 116 acres
- [Pitts Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/pitts-lake) - 2.6 miles, 114 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.55157,-94.45036)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=73010200)
- [All lakes in Stearns County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county)

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