Big Bear
St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69011300
57 Surveys
142.79
Acres
15 ft
Max Depth
10
Fish Species
33
Local Guides
DNR Fish Surveys
Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Big Bear. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.
Northern Pike
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-06-28 | Standard gill nets | 5.7 (normal) | 3.0 – 8.3 | 2.13 lb | 34 |
| 1990-06-28 | Standard trap nets | 1.0 | — | 1.81 lb | 8 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard gill nets | 3.8 (normal) | 3.0 – 8.3 | 2.39 lb | 15 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 | — | 1.76 lb | 3 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard gill nets | 4.7 (normal) | 3.0 – 8.3 | 2.57 lb | 28 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard trap nets | 0.2 | — | 0.20 lb | 2 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard gill nets | 4.3 (normal) | 3.0 – 8.3 | 1.42 lb | 26 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard trap nets | 0.6 | — | 1.40 lb | 5 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard gill nets | 13.0 (above normal) | 3.0 – 8.3 | 2.35 lb | 26 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 | — | 0.95 lb | 2 |
Black Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-06-28 | Standard gill nets | 4.8 (normal) | 0.9 – 17.3 | 0.04 lb | 29 |
| 1990-06-28 | Standard trap nets | 32.4 (above normal) | 0.8 – 24.6 | 0.09 lb | 259 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard gill nets | 7.8 (normal) | 0.9 – 17.3 | 0.22 lb | 31 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 0.9 – 17.3 | 0.13 lb | 1 |
White Sucker
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-06-28 | Standard gill nets | 4.8 (normal) | 2.0 – 11.5 | 1.56 lb | 29 |
| 1990-06-28 | Standard trap nets | 1.4 (normal) | 0.8 – 4.4 | 1.75 lb | 11 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard gill nets | 2.8 (normal) | 2.0 – 11.5 | 2.16 lb | 11 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard trap nets | 1.7 (normal) | 0.8 – 4.4 | 2.81 lb | 15 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard gill nets | 4.2 (normal) | 2.0 – 11.5 | 3.74 lb | 25 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.8 – 4.4 | 3.10 lb | 1 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard gill nets | 6.0 (normal) | 2.0 – 11.5 | 1.80 lb | 36 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard trap nets | 0.7 (below normal) | 0.8 – 4.4 | 2.26 lb | 6 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard gill nets | 4.0 (normal) | 2.0 – 11.5 | 2.48 lb | 8 |
Yellow Perch
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-06-28 | Standard trap nets | 6.5 (above normal) | 0.4 – 2.8 | 0.08 lb | 52 |
| 1990-06-28 | Standard gill nets | 3.3 (below normal) | 4.5 – 19.0 | 0.07 lb | 20 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard trap nets | 1.3 (normal) | 0.4 – 2.8 | 0.23 lb | 12 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard gill nets | 8.5 (normal) | 4.5 – 19.0 | 0.33 lb | 34 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard trap nets | 2.6 (normal) | 0.4 – 2.8 | 0.10 lb | 23 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard gill nets | 8.0 (normal) | 4.5 – 19.0 | 0.11 lb | 48 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard trap nets | 1.1 (normal) | 0.4 – 2.8 | 0.09 lb | 10 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard gill nets | 3.0 (below normal) | 4.5 – 19.0 | 0.27 lb | 18 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 (normal) | 0.4 – 2.8 | 0.15 lb | 2 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard gill nets | 12.5 (normal) | 4.5 – 19.0 | 0.37 lb | 25 |
Rock Bass
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-06-28 | Standard trap nets | 0.4 (normal) | 0.3 – 2.0 | 0.27 lb | 3 |
| 1990-06-28 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.20 lb | 1 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard trap nets | 0.8 (normal) | 0.3 – 2.0 | 0.53 lb | 3 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard gill nets | 9.0 (above normal) | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.61 lb | 18 |
Pumpkinseed
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-06-28 | Standard trap nets | 1.4 (normal) | 0.7 – 3.4 | 0.15 lb | 11 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 | — | 0.07 lb | 1 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard trap nets | 0.9 (normal) | 0.7 – 3.4 | 0.12 lb | 8 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.7 – 3.4 | 0.04 lb | 1 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard trap nets | 1.0 (normal) | 0.7 – 3.4 | 0.08 lb | 9 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard gill nets | 6.5 | — | 0.27 lb | 13 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard trap nets | 3.8 (above normal) | 0.7 – 3.4 | 0.22 lb | 15 |
Walleye
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-07-30 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 1.3 – 4.8 | 3.09 lb | 1 |
| 2001-07-30 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.3 – 1.3 | 0.45 lb | 1 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard gill nets | 1.8 (normal) | 1.3 – 4.8 | 1.36 lb | 11 |
| 1996-06-24 | Standard trap nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 0.3 – 1.3 | 2.20 lb | 2 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 (below normal) | 1.3 – 4.8 | 2.35 lb | 3 |
| 2009-07-20 | Standard trap nets | 1.1 (normal) | 0.3 – 1.3 | 3.12 lb | 10 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard gill nets | 16.5 (above normal) | 1.3 – 4.8 | 2.00 lb | 33 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard trap nets | 4.3 (above normal) | 0.3 – 1.3 | 1.97 lb | 17 |
Bluegill
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-07-20 | Standard trap nets | 1.4 (below normal) | 2.3 – 7.8 | 0.33 lb | 13 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 2.3 – 7.8 | 0.50 lb | 1 |
Golden Shiner
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-07-20 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.13 lb | 1 |
Black Crappie
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965-07-19 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 (normal) | 0.5 – 5.5 | 0.70 lb | 1 |
| 1965-07-19 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 (below normal) | 0.8 – 3.5 | 0.90 lb | 2 |
Depth Maps & Lake Info
Map & Directions
Get DirectionsShowing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.
Nearby Bait & Tackle
Nearby Marinas
Resorts & Lodges Near Big Bear
Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Big Bear.
Fish Species
Species known to inhabit Big Bear. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Fishing Guides Near Big Bear
Other Lakes in St. Louis County
Plan Your Trip to Big Bear
- Weather forecast for Big Bear — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
- GPS: 47.2084°N, 91.9151°W — Get Directions
- View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
- Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us
Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.