Big

Sherburne County, Minnesota — DOW #71008200

177 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Big has confirmed populations of:

Eurasian watermilfoil
zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

253.66

Acres

48 ft

Max Depth

17.7 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

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.

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.14 lb	14
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	16.3 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.18 lb	98
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	2.3	—	—	2
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	3.1	—	—	25
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.07 lb	6
2004-08-02	Survey seining	0.8	—	—	3
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.09 lb	5
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.17 lb	1
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.10 lb	12
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.11 lb	5
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.09 lb	4
1994-08-08	Special trap nets	20.5	—	—	41
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	2.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.10 lb	16
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	28.3 (above normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.09 lb	113
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.18 lb	16

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.10 lb	1
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	67.8	—	—	60
2017-06-21	15-ft beach seine	18.0	—	—	18
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	2.5	—	—	20
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.06 lb	3
2017-05-25	Special trap nets	0.1	—	0.04 lb	1
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.10 lb	2
1989-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.05 lb	2

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.92 lb	16
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	1.20 lb	9
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	9.0	—	—	8
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	9.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.73 lb	59
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	3.2 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.79 lb	32
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	19.3 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.60 lb	116
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.77 lb	13
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.65 lb	18
1994-08-08	Special trap nets	1.0	—	—	2
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	6.8 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.52 lb	41
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	6.2 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.61 lb	37
1989-08-03	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.70 lb	26

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	2.15 lb	10
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	6.50 lb	1
2017-06-21	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	1
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	15.5 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	2.39 lb	93
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	2.69 lb	7
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	9.2 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.81 lb	55
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	1.27 lb	2
1994-08-08	Standard electrofishing	1.1	—	0.30 lb	1
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	6.5 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.13 lb	39
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.16 lb	2
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.3	5.18 lb	5
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	7.00 lb	1
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	3.57 lb	15

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	3.2	—	0.09 lb	19
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	7.2	—	0.09 lb	43
2017-06-21	15-ft beach seine	2.0	—	—	2
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	3.6	—	—	29
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	49.7	—	—	44
2004-08-02	Survey seining	0.3	—	0.05 lb	1
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.05 lb	1
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	1.4	—	0.15 lb	14
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	2.7	—	0.22 lb	16
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	2.1	—	0.19 lb	19
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.16 lb	3
1994-08-08	Survey seining	1.0	—	—	4
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	0.20 lb	11
2017-05-25	Special trap nets	4.0	—	0.35 lb	79
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.3	—	0.20 lb	5
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.15 lb	2
1989-08-03	Standard trap nets	9.0	—	0.11 lb	54
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.15 lb	4

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	6.8 (above normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.96 lb	41
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	4.11 lb	16
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.95 lb	1
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.70 lb	27
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.98 lb	7
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	4.52 lb	1
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.2 – 6.3	5.08 lb	4
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	5.00 lb	1
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	8.5 (above normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.24 lb	51

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	5.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	0.38 lb	35
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.30 lb	1
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	—	1
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	1.4	—	—	11
2004-08-02	Standard electrofishing	94.8	—	0.94 lb	40
2004-08-02	Survey seining	2.0	—	0.03 lb	8
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.28 lb	3
2017-07-31	Standard electrofishing	49.6	—	0.93 lb	60
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	2.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.05 lb	15
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.81 lb	2
1994-08-08	Standard electrofishing	33.0	—	0.41 lb	30
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	0.64 lb	2
1994-08-08	Survey seining	1.5	—	0.13 lb	6
1994-08-08	Special trap nets	10.5	—	—	21
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	0.57 lb	2
1989-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.10 lb	2
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	0.38 lb	11

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	19.7	—	0.12 lb	118
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	25.5 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.11 lb	153
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	23.7	—	—	21
2017-06-21	15-ft beach seine	14.0	—	—	14
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	37.5	—	—	300
2004-08-02	Survey seining	2.0	—	0.05 lb	8
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	11.0	—	0.10 lb	66
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	18.9 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.05 lb	189
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	8.7	—	0.16 lb	52
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	9.8 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.07 lb	88
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	15.8	—	0.23 lb	95
1994-08-08	Survey seining	1.3	—	—	5
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	19.0 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.18 lb	114
1994-08-08	Special trap nets	15.0	—	—	30
2017-05-25	Special trap nets	13.6	—	0.18 lb	272
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	7.5	—	0.12 lb	30
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	41.0 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.12 lb	246
1989-08-03	Standard trap nets	21.0 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.09 lb	126
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	14.3	—	0.20 lb	86

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	4.3	—	0.15 lb	26
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.13 lb	18
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	2.5	—	0.15 lb	15
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.16 lb	17
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	3.5	—	0.17 lb	21
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.12 lb	12
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.27 lb	5
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.31 lb	1
1994-08-08	Standard electrofishing	1.1	—	0.47 lb	1
2017-05-25	Special trap nets	0.8	—	0.30 lb	15
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.5	—	0.11 lb	10
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.14 lb	23
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.30 lb	3
1989-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.20 lb	3

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.4 – 2.2	2.02 lb	9
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	3.70 lb	5
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.2	3.53 lb	1
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	3.38 lb	2
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	3.16 lb	2
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 2.2	2.14 lb	4
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 2.2	2.35 lb	4

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-04	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.18 lb	9
1983-08-04	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.20 lb	5
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.26 lb	5
2004-08-02	Standard trap nets	1.9 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.22 lb	19
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.23 lb	26
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.36 lb	4
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.29 lb	1
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.33 lb	1
1994-08-08	Special trap nets	0.5	—	0.27 lb	1
2017-05-25	Special trap nets	6.0	—	0.44 lb	120
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.28 lb	3
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	7.5 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.23 lb	45
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.10 lb	3

SFS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	89.3	—	79
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	63.0	—	504
1994-08-08	Survey seining	8.8	—	35

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	5.0	—	40
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	1

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	4.5	—	4

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	1
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	1
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.6	—	5

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	41.6	—	333
2017-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	43.0	—	38
1994-08-08	Survey seining	4.3	—	17

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

NRD

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

BST

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.4	—	3

Mimic Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-08-02	Standard gill nets	12.5 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.92 lb	75
1994-08-08	Standard gill nets	23.7 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.35 lb	142
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.53 lb	2
1994-08-08	Special trap nets	0.5	—	—	1
1989-08-03	Standard gill nets	8.8 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	1.29 lb	53

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	11.85 lb	1
1994-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	11.57 lb	2
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	7.50 lb	1

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-07-31	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.62 lb	1
2017-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.37 lb	2

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	8.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.07 lb	53

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1973-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	2.20 lb	5
1973-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 3.4	3.00 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Central Lakes Rental

Big Lake, MN

(320) 491-2699

★ 5

Due North Dock & Lift

Zimmerman, MN

(763) 856-8020

★ 5

Marina's Sewing

Elk River, MN

(763) 274-1107

★ 4.8

Rivers Edge Commons

Elk River, MN

(763) 635-1150

★ 4.6

Rivers Edge Commons Park Dock

Elk River, MN

★ 5

Riverview Sports And Marine

Elk River, MN

(763) 441-1799

★ 4.6

Resorts & Lodges Near Big

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Big.

River House & Fishing

Fishing Resort Elk River

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Fish Species

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

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Common Carp Green Sunfish Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Big

BiggTime Outdoors

Fishing Guide

(612) 804-7244

Other Lakes in Sherburne County

Cantlin

Clear

112.59 acres

Plan Your Trip to Big

Weather forecast for Big — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 45.3387°N, 93.7541°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.

Big

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Yellow Perch

Green Sunfish

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Hybrid Sunfish

Walleye

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

White Sucker

Black Crappie

SFS

BNS

Brown Bullhead

Johnny Darter

Iowa Darter

Bluntnose Minnow

Spottail Shiner

Fathead Minnow

NRD

BST

Mimic Shiner

Black Bullhead

Common Carp

Bowfin

Golden Shiner

Shorthead Redhorse

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Dunwright Tackle

Fish-On Gear and Tackle

Gapen Co

Marties Feed and Seed

Riverside Sporting Gear

Sand Dunes Bait and Tackle + Outdoors

Tales & Trails Sports Shop

Tractor Supply Co.

Nearby Marinas

Central Lakes Rental

Due North Dock & Lift

Marina's Sewing

Rivers Edge Commons

Rivers Edge Commons Park Dock

Riverview Sports And Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near Big

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Big

Other Lakes in Sherburne County

Ann

Birch

Briggs

Camp

Cantlin

Clear

Plan Your Trip to Big