Minnesota Fishing Guide

Big

Carlton County, Minnesota — DOW #09003200

159 Surveys
526.42
Acres
25 ft
Max Depth
8 ft
Mean Depth
9
Fish Species
3
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Big. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 2.0 0.10 lb 1
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.1 – 2.0 0.66 lb 6
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 1.08 lb 1
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 2.0 0.46 lb 1
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 2.0 0.26 lb 1
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 9.0 — — 11
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 2.9 (above normal) 0.1 – 2.0 0.18 lb 26
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.21 lb 2

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 9.5 (above normal) 0.7 – 4.5 1.19 lb 57
1990-08-09 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.00 lb 3
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.68 lb 3
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 4.6 (above normal) 0.7 – 4.5 2.12 lb 32
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.7 – 4.5 0.91 lb 4
2020-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.46 lb 1
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 3.9 (normal) 0.7 – 4.5 1.73 lb 27
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.54 lb 7
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.14 lb 4
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.7 – 4.5 1.16 lb 4
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.21 lb 4
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 0.7 – 4.5 1.13 lb 24

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 10.7 (normal) 3.6 – 11.0 2.06 lb 64
1990-08-09 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 0.84 lb 5
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 11.4 (above normal) 3.6 – 11.0 2.43 lb 80
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 1.99 lb 9
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 12.4 (above normal) 3.6 – 11.0 1.93 lb 112
2020-08-10 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 1.08 lb 10
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 11.7 (above normal) 3.6 – 11.0 2.27 lb 82
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 0.6 — 1.71 lb 5
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 13.9 (above normal) 3.6 – 11.0 1.97 lb 125
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 2.43 lb 10
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 11.4 (above normal) 3.6 – 11.0 2.18 lb 103
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 2.63 lb 10
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — — 5
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 16.3 (above normal) 3.6 – 11.0 2.36 lb 147
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 1.6 — 2.73 lb 14

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.27 lb 18
1990-08-09 Standard trap nets 7.5 (above normal) 0.7 – 4.3 0.12 lb 45
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 3.1 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.18 lb 22
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 6.9 (above normal) 0.7 – 4.3 0.17 lb 76
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.15 lb 20
2020-08-10 Standard trap nets 3.2 (normal) 0.7 – 4.3 0.19 lb 29
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.20 lb 18
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 4.6 (above normal) 0.7 – 4.3 0.22 lb 41
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.07 lb 11
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 3.8 (normal) 0.7 – 4.3 0.16 lb 34
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 1.9 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.13 lb 17
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 0.7 – 4.3 0.22 lb 21
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 8
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.24 lb 27
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 3.4 (normal) 0.7 – 4.3 0.11 lb 31

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.5 2.73 lb 3
1990-08-09 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.4 0.50 lb 1
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.5 0.83 lb 1
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.5 2.31 lb 1
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.5 3.68 lb 1

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard trap nets 20.3 (normal) 4.0 – 28.1 0.13 lb 122
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 5.2 — 0.11 lb 31
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 8.9 — 0.21 lb 62
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 14.2 (normal) 4.0 – 28.1 0.16 lb 156
2020-08-10 Standard trap nets 15.0 (normal) 4.0 – 28.1 0.07 lb 135
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 6.2 — 0.16 lb 56
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 16.0 (normal) 4.0 – 28.1 0.15 lb 144
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 3.1 — 0.17 lb 22
2003-07-28 Survey seining 65.7 — — 197
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 2.1 — 0.09 lb 19
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 11.2 (normal) 4.0 – 28.1 0.10 lb 101
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 3.2 — 0.09 lb 29
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 6.8 (normal) 4.0 – 28.1 0.09 lb 61
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 11.4 — — 14
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 12.8 — — 128
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 2.6 — 0.08 lb 23
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 22.0 (normal) 4.0 – 28.1 0.09 lb 198

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.0 – 3.2 1.28 lb 5
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 1.0 – 3.2 3.64 lb 18
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.1 3.35 lb 1
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 4.7 (above normal) 1.0 – 3.2 2.73 lb 33
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.1 (normal) 1.0 – 3.2 4.11 lb 10
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 3.98 lb 3
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.1 3.26 lb 1
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.0 – 3.2 3.56 lb 8

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 3.2 — 0.14 lb 19
1990-08-09 Standard trap nets 10.5 (above normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.09 lb 63
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 4.1 — 0.32 lb 29
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 6.5 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.25 lb 71
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.7 — 0.14 lb 6
2020-08-10 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.09 lb 15
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 2.7 — 0.25 lb 19
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 4.2 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.27 lb 38
2003-07-28 Survey seining 9.7 — — 29
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 4.2 — 0.08 lb 38
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 5.2 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.09 lb 47
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 0.9 — 0.10 lb 8
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 1.1 (below normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.10 lb 10
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 1.6 — — 2
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 10
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.4 — 0.04 lb 13
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 3.1 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.10 lb 28

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 4.8 0.10 lb 2
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 4.8 0.10 lb 1
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 1.1 (normal) 0.3 – 4.8 0.16 lb 8
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 0.8 0.11 lb 3
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 4.8 0.10 lb 1
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 1.5 — — 15
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 2.4 — — 3
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 0.09 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 1.2 (below normal) 3.8 – 22.8 0.16 lb 7
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.14 lb 6
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 7.0 (normal) 3.8 – 22.8 0.15 lb 49
2020-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.08 lb 3
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 4.3 (normal) 3.8 – 22.8 0.11 lb 39
1994-08-01 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.12 lb 6
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 11.4 (normal) 3.8 – 22.8 0.12 lb 80
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.13 lb 1
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 2.4 (below normal) 3.8 – 22.8 0.09 lb 22
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.13 lb 9
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 5.9 (normal) 3.8 – 22.8 0.14 lb 53
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 5.7 — — 7
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 12.2 — — 122
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.08 lb 6
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 6.2 (normal) 3.8 – 22.8 0.14 lb 56

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-08-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.45 lb 2
1998-07-27 Standard electrofishing 27.5 — 1.40 lb 16
1998-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.08 lb 2
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 1.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 0.9 1.23 lb 13
1994-08-01 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 1.27 lb 4
2003-07-28 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 1.17 lb 7
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.13 lb 1
2013-07-29 Standard electrofishing 104.0 — 1.77 lb 52
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 1.11 lb 5
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.19 lb 2
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 27.7 — — 34
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 39.7 — — 397
2008-07-28 Standard electrofishing 68.8 — 1.59 lb 31
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.6 (above normal) 0.3 – 0.9 1.45 lb 14

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-07-27 Standard gill nets 2.4 (normal) 1.0 – 38.0 0.59 lb 17
2003-07-28 Standard trap nets 1.9 (normal) 0.5 – 11.3 0.93 lb 17
2003-07-28 Standard gill nets 5.4 (normal) 1.0 – 38.0 0.96 lb 49
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 11.3 0.68 lb 1
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 1.9 (normal) 1.0 – 38.0 1.13 lb 17
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 11.3 0.80 lb 5
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 1.0 – 38.0 0.90 lb 13

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2020-08-10 Standard trap nets 3.4 — 0.30 lb 31
2020-08-10 Standard gill nets 1.8 — 0.16 lb 16
2013-07-29 Standard gill nets 0.6 — 0.21 lb 5
2013-07-29 Standard trap nets 4.0 — 0.30 lb 36
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 1.6 — — 16
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 11.4 — — 14

CNM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 7.3 — 9
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 2

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 3.3 — 4
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — 8

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 4.9 — 6

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 3.4 — 34
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 8.1 — 10

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 2
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 2.4 — 3

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2020-07-09 50-ft beach seine 1.2 — 12
2020-07-09 Backpack electrofishing 6.5 — 8

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Fly Fisher Pro

Cloquet, MN

(218) 879-3556

L&M Fleet Supply

Cloquet, MN

(218) 879-8723

★ 4.5

Axels Unusual

Superior, MN

(715) 392-1140

Bass Pro Shops

Hermantown, MN

(218) 481-6900

★ 4.4

DICK'S Sporting Goods

Duluth, MN

(218) 727-2078

★ 3.7

Duluth Nets by H. Christiansen Co.

Duluth, MN

(218) 724-5509

★ 4.7

Duluth Pack Store

Duluth, MN

(218) 722-3898

★ 4.4

Fisherman's Corner

Duluth, MN

(218) 729-5369

★ 4

Nearby Marinas

All Out Recreation LLC.

Cloquet, MN

(218) 464-3750

★ 4.7

Area StoragePro of Carlton

Carlton, MN

(320) 270-7200

★ 4

Area StoragePro of Cloquet

Cloquet, MN

(218) 443-7200

★ 4.4

Boat Rentals

Barnum, MN

(218) 389-6322

Chub Lake Park

Carlton, MN

(218) 481-2289

★ 4.3

Gene's Marine

Cloquet, MN

(218) 878-3348

★ 4.6

Resorts & Lodges Near Big

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Big.

Mirror Lake Resort
Fishing Resort Holyoke

(651) 269-5560
Hanging Horn Lakeside Resort
Fishing Resort Moose Lake

(218) 382-0075
Big Lake Golf Resort
Fishing Resort Cloquet

(218) 879-4734
Lounge On Big Lake Shores
Fishing Resort Cloquet

(218) 879-1819

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Big. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillBrown BullheadGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Big

218 Sportfishing
Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744
North Shore Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 393-4921
Outdoor Advantage Inc
Fishing Guide

(218) 879-3185

Other Lakes in Carlton County

Bang

60.78 acres

Bear

100.08 acres

Blackhoof

40.89 acres

Bob

77 acres

Chub

313.42 acres

Coffee

71.06 acres

Plan Your Trip to Big

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.