---
type: lake
name: "Big Carnelian Lake"
county: "Washington"
nearest_town: "Stillwater"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 457
max_depth_ft: 66
latitude: 45.13598
longitude: -92.80881
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "82004900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/big-carnelian-lake
---

# Big Carnelian Lake

Lake in Washington County, Minnesota, near Stillwater

- **Surface Area**: 457 acres
- **Max Depth**: 66 ft
- **Average Depth**: 26 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 18.3 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 Carnelian Lake is a 457-acre lake near Stillwater in Washington County, Minnesota. It reaches 66 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 26 feet, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 4, based on 24 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**: 12
- **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, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 4
- **Years of record**: 24
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-10
- **Latest**: 2008-04-23

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Carnelian Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/little-carnelian-lake) - 1.3 miles, 137 acres
- [Square Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/square-lake) - 1.4 miles, 203 acres
- [Lily Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/lily-lake) - 6.1 miles, 44 acres
- [Big Marine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/big-marine-lake) - 6.3 miles, 1,799 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/long-lake) - 6.5 miles, 102 acres
- [Sunset Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/sunset-lake) - 6.5 miles, 133 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.13598,-92.80881)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=82004900)
- [All lakes in Washington County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county)

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