Big McCarthy
Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31012000
44 Surveys
104.49
Acres
45 ft
Max Depth
10
Fish Species
9
Local Guides
DNR Fish Surveys
Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Big McCarthy. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.
Northern Pike
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard gill nets | 4.5 (normal) | 2.8 – 8.7 | 2.07 lb | 27 |
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 | — | 4.41 lb | 1 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 1.5 (below normal) | 2.8 – 8.7 | 2.97 lb | 6 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 | — | 0.50 lb | 2 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard gill nets | 1.0 (below normal) | 2.8 – 8.7 | 4.55 lb | 4 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 | — | 0.60 lb | 2 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard gill nets | 0.7 (below normal) | 2.8 – 8.7 | 1.10 lb | 2 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 | — | 2.00 lb | 1 |
White Sucker
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 0.5 – 2.9 | 2.45 lb | 1 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.9 | 2.00 lb | 2 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.3 – 0.7 | 0.50 lb | 1 |
Bluegill
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 15.9 (normal) | 5.7 – 40.5 | 0.11 lb | 143 |
| 2008-07-21 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 | — | 0.13 lb | 2 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 7.5 (normal) | 5.7 – 40.5 | 0.12 lb | 30 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 0.8 | — | 0.13 lb | 3 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard trap nets | 15.3 (normal) | 5.7 – 40.5 | 0.10 lb | 61 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 13.5 (normal) | 5.7 – 40.5 | 0.18 lb | 54 |
Yellow Perch
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 3.8 | 0.11 lb | 3 |
| 2008-07-21 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 1.5 – 23.0 | 0.12 lb | 1 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 1.0 (normal) | 0.5 – 3.8 | 0.17 lb | 4 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 1.5 (normal) | 1.5 – 23.0 | 0.13 lb | 6 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 3.8 | 0.10 lb | 1 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard gill nets | 0.8 (below normal) | 1.5 – 23.0 | 0.10 lb | 3 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 3.8 | 0.20 lb | 1 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard gill nets | 3.3 (normal) | 1.5 – 23.0 | 0.11 lb | 10 |
Largemouth Bass
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.3 – 1.6 | 1.25 lb | 1 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.70 lb | 1 |
Rock Bass
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 0.6 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.8 | 0.27 lb | 5 |
| 2008-07-21 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.0 | 0.55 lb | 3 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 2.8 | 0.10 lb | 1 |
Brown Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 0.8 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.2 | 1.11 lb | 7 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 1.0 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.2 | 0.35 lb | 4 |
Black Crappie
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 2.0 (normal) | 0.5 – 3.3 | 0.21 lb | 18 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 1.5 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.9 | 0.27 lb | 6 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 2.0 (normal) | 0.5 – 3.3 | 0.21 lb | 8 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard trap nets | 4.5 (above normal) | 0.5 – 3.3 | 0.15 lb | 18 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 3.3 (normal) | 0.5 – 3.3 | 0.20 lb | 13 |
Pumpkinseed
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 1.3 – 6.3 | 0.13 lb | 3 |
| 1983-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 1.0 (below normal) | 1.3 – 6.3 | 0.20 lb | 4 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard trap nets | 4.5 (normal) | 1.3 – 6.3 | 0.07 lb | 18 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 1.0 (below normal) | 1.3 – 6.3 | 0.12 lb | 4 |
Yellow Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-07-21 | Standard trap nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 1.0 – 8.4 | 0.76 lb | 2 |
| 1989-07-24 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 (below normal) | 1.0 – 8.4 | 0.80 lb | 2 |
| 1978-08-02 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 1.0 – 8.4 | 1.00 lb | 1 |
Depth Maps & Lake Info
Map & Directions
Get DirectionsShowing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.
Nearby Bait & Tackle
Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits
Deer River, MN
★ 5Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop
Deer River, MN
★ 3.7Diamond Custom Rods
Grand Rapids, MN
★ 5Fred's Live Bait & Tackle
Deer River, MN
★ 4.8Frontier Sports
Marcell, MN
★ 4.6Glen's Army & Navy Store
Grand Rapids, MN
★ 4.3God's Country Outfitters
Grand Rapids, MN
★ 4.4Hollywood Bait
Coleraine, MN
★ 4.5Nearby Marinas
Resorts & Lodges Near Big McCarthy
Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Big McCarthy.
Fish Species
Species known to inhabit Big McCarthy. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Fishing Guides Near Big McCarthy
Other Lakes in Itasca County
Plan Your Trip to Big McCarthy
- Weather forecast for Big McCarthy — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
- GPS: 47.4092°N, 93.2654°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.