Minnesota Fishing Guide

Big

Todd County, Minnesota — DOW #77006300

209 Surveys
297.08
Acres
21 ft
Max Depth
0
14
Fish Species
0
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.

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2013-06-06 Standard electrofishing 0.8 — 0.39 lb 1
2016-07-11 Standard electrofishing 31.6 — 0.20 lb 60
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 5.7 (above normal) 1.0 – 4.8 0.22 lb 34
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 2.5 — 0.36 lb 56
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 4.8 (above normal) 1.0 – 4.8 0.19 lb 29
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 2.2 (normal) 0.8 – 4.3 0.25 lb 20
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.3 0.34 lb 7
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 5.5 (above normal) 1.0 – 4.8 0.22 lb 33
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 15.0 (above normal) 0.8 – 4.3 0.20 lb 60
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 4.2 (normal) 1.0 – 4.8 0.22 lb 25
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 3.8 (normal) 0.8 – 4.3 0.19 lb 34
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 2.5 — 0.41 lb 30
1993-07-19 Survey seining 20.7 — — 62
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.0 – 4.8 0.25 lb 14
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.8 – 4.3 0.25 lb 12
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 1.0 – 4.8 0.40 lb 10
2011-07-27 Standard electrofishing 47.7 — 0.47 lb 99
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 2.5 — — 25
2015-05-26 Standard electrofishing 17.0 — 0.32 lb 17

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2013-06-06 Standard electrofishing 45.6 — 0.84 lb 61
2016-07-11 Standard electrofishing 35.3 — 0.82 lb 67
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 1.48 lb 3
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 0.4 — 0.90 lb 8
1999-07-12 Standard electrofishing 28.3 — 1.48 lb 37
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.68 lb 3
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.24 lb 9
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 4.0 — — 24
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 1.7 — — 5
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 6.8 — — 7
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.26 lb 2
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.55 lb 2
2005-07-18 Survey seining 2.0 — — 6
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.95 lb 2
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.15 lb 6
1993-07-19 Survey seining 5.7 — — 17
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 1.67 lb 7
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 1.00 lb 5
2011-07-27 Standard electrofishing 34.7 — 0.80 lb 72
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 4.6 — — 46
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 1.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.70 lb 11
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 3.4 — — 5
2015-05-26 Standard electrofishing 88.0 — 0.70 lb 88

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 10.0 (normal) 1.9 – 12.1 0.44 lb 60
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 4.9 — 0.17 lb 108
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 23.0 (above normal) 1.9 – 12.1 0.40 lb 138
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 8.0 (normal) 2.1 – 10.5 0.52 lb 72
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 10.7 — — 11
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 6.2 (normal) 2.1 – 10.5 0.53 lb 56
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 6.7 (normal) 1.9 – 12.1 0.42 lb 40
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 34.5 (above normal) 2.1 – 10.5 0.47 lb 138
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 22.3 (above normal) 1.9 – 12.1 0.44 lb 134
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 4.3 (normal) 2.1 – 10.5 0.47 lb 39
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 5.7 — 0.51 lb 68
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 26.7 (above normal) 1.9 – 12.1 0.62 lb 160
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 29.6 (above normal) 2.1 – 10.5 0.64 lb 266
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 6.8 — — 10
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 2
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 10.2 (normal) 1.9 – 12.1 0.59 lb 61

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 5.3 (normal) 4.8 – 12.5 2.15 lb 32
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 0.8 — 1.58 lb 17
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 13.7 (above normal) 4.8 – 12.5 1.97 lb 82
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 1.41 lb 9
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — — 3
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 1
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.9 — 0.86 lb 8
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 8.8 (normal) 4.8 – 12.5 2.03 lb 53
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 2.25 lb 4
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 8.0 (normal) 4.8 – 12.5 2.20 lb 48
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 0.7 — 1.76 lb 6
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 0.3 — 0.64 lb 3
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 7.7 (normal) 4.8 – 12.5 2.43 lb 46
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 1.34 lb 4
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 0.4 — — 4
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 8.3 (normal) 4.8 – 12.5 1.14 lb 50

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 0.9 — 0.28 lb 20
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 4.0 — 0.22 lb 36
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 10.7 — — 11
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 0.27 lb 9
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 1.8 — — 11
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 0.7 — — 2
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 0.7 — 0.10 lb 4
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 6.8 — 0.11 lb 27
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 1.2 — 0.20 lb 11
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 2.5 — 0.33 lb 30
1993-07-19 Survey seining 2.0 — — 6
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 0.8 — 0.25 lb 5
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 1.2 — 0.22 lb 11
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 6.8 — — 10
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 0.9 — — 9

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 3.0 1.50 lb 4
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 0.4 — 3.52 lb 8
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 0.5 – 3.0 4.36 lb 13
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.5 5.34 lb 2
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 1.9 — — 2
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 4.8 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.0 2.55 lb 29
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 0.5 8.80 lb 2
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 0.5 – 3.0 3.51 lb 16
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.5 0.40 lb 1
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 0.3 — 4.59 lb 3
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 0.5 – 3.0 4.91 lb 10
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.5 0.41 lb 1
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 0.5 – 3.0 3.37 lb 11

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 16.0 — 0.18 lb 96
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 76.7 — 0.04 lb 1688
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 33.5 — 0.12 lb 201
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 67.4 (above normal) 8.3 – 50.1 0.05 lb 607
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 15.5 — — 16
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 24.8 (normal) 8.3 – 50.1 0.18 lb 223
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 137.2 — — 823
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 40.7 — — 122
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 22.0 — 0.13 lb 132
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 125.5 (above normal) 8.3 – 50.1 0.10 lb 502
2005-07-18 Survey seining 20.7 — — 62
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 28.5 — 0.17 lb 171
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 29.4 (normal) 8.3 – 50.1 0.07 lb 265
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 34.3 — 0.21 lb 412
1993-07-19 Survey seining 26.7 — — 80
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 32.3 — 0.15 lb 194
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 35.2 (normal) 8.3 – 50.1 0.09 lb 317
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 10.7 — 0.25 lb 64
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 25.0 — — 37
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 37.7 — — 377

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 1.2 — 0.20 lb 7
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 3.0 — 0.24 lb 67
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 2.8 — 0.07 lb 17
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 6.4 (normal) 2.8 – 10.3 0.13 lb 58
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 2.8 – 10.3 0.27 lb 30
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 6
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 1
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 3.5 — 0.19 lb 21
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 16.0 (above normal) 2.8 – 10.3 0.11 lb 64
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 1.3 — 0.21 lb 8
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 1.7 (below normal) 2.8 – 10.3 0.15 lb 15
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 3.5 — 0.33 lb 42
1993-07-19 Survey seining 1.0 — — 3
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 3.8 — 0.08 lb 23
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 2.7 (below normal) 2.8 – 10.3 0.07 lb 24
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 0.7 — 0.26 lb 4
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 1.1 — — 11

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.3 2.40 lb 1
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.3 2.21 lb 4
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.3 2.00 lb 1
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 4.45 lb 2
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 3.53 lb 1
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 2.3 1.48 lb 3

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Special trap nets 0.1 — — 1
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 0.1 — 5.98 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 2.0 – 21.5 0.06 lb 14
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.06 lb 2
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 1.5 (below normal) 2.0 – 21.5 0.07 lb 9
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 5.0 — — 30
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 0.7 — — 2
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 1.0 — — 1
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.12 lb 1
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.10 lb 2
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 16.0 (normal) 2.0 – 21.5 0.08 lb 96
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.19 lb 2
2005-07-18 Survey seining 10.7 — — 32
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 13.5 (normal) 2.0 – 21.5 0.08 lb 81
1993-07-19 Survey seining 3.0 — — 9
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 6.8 (normal) 2.0 – 21.5 0.09 lb 41
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 4.6 — — 46
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.0 – 21.5 0.21 lb 6
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 1.4 — — 2

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-07-11 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.04 lb 9
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 4.3 0.53 lb 5
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.59 lb 5
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 2.5 (normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.82 lb 10
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 4.3 0.85 lb 8
2005-07-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.64 lb 1
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 4.3 0.90 lb 6
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 0.3 — 0.90 lb 3
2011-07-27 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 4.3 1.09 lb 9

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1999-07-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 5.7 0.14 lb 1
1999-07-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.0 – 16.5 0.74 lb 2
2016-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 5.7 0.88 lb 1
1983-07-11 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 5.7 1.00 lb 1
1983-07-11 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.0 – 16.5 0.30 lb 1
2005-07-18 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.0 – 16.5 0.68 lb 1
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 0.2 — 0.91 lb 2
1993-07-19 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 5.7 0.66 lb 2
1993-07-19 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.0 – 16.5 0.19 lb 1

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 1
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 25.2 — — 26
2016-06-27 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 0.3 — 0.25 lb 4
1993-07-19 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 0.1 — — 1
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 15.6 — — 23

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2016-06-27 15-ft beach seine 1.7 — 5
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 1.9 — 2
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 9.1 — 91
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 12.2 — 18

CNM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 1.0 — 1
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 0.7 — 7
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 23.7 — 35

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 1.0 — 1
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 3
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 2.7 — 4

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2016-06-27 Backpack electrofishing 6.8 — 7
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 1.4 — 2

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-06-13 Special trap nets 0.1 — 0.07 lb 1
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 8

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1993-07-19 Survey seining 22.0 — 66

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1993-07-19 Survey seining 1.3 — 4

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-07-27 Backpack electrofishing 2.0 — 3

Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-07-27 15-ft beach seine 6.6 — 66

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

Nancy's Bait & Tackle

Grey Eagle, MN

(320) 285-2405

★ 4.7

A Bit of Tack

Verndale, MN

(218) 445-5849

★ 4.7

Adventure To Go - Nisswa

Nisswa, MN

(218) 820-1301

★ 4.4

Beimert Outdoors

Brainerd, MN

(218) 746-4018

★ 5

Birch Island Outdoors

Brainerd, MN

Corner Store Depot & Liquor

Brainerd, MN

(218) 824-2007

★ 4.7

Da Fishin Hole

Little Falls, MN

(320) 631-0056

★ 4.8

Dunham's Sports

Baxter, MN

(218) 829-2367

★ 4

Nearby Marinas

Minnesota Jet Ski Rental / 2SledsAndaTrailer.com

Grey Eagle, MN

(320) 200-0300

★ 5

Bar Harbor Pontoon Rentals

Lake Shore, MN

(218) 855-2651

★ 5

Bell Marine LLC

Merrifield, MN

(218) 821-0842

Boater's Dream, LLC

Little Falls, MN

(320) 632-8152

★ 3.9

Boats and beyond - dock

Brainerd, MN

(218) 963-7700

★ 4.9

Boats and Beyond Rentals

Nisswa, MN

(218) 963-7700

★ 4.9

Resorts & Lodges Near Big

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Big.

Knudson Rentals - Sauk Lake Retreat
Fishing Resort Sauk Centre

(763) 227-4607
Lakeshore Resort
Fishing Resort Osakis

(320) 859-2400
Buck Point Lodge
Fishing Resort Osakis

(320) 859-2530
Head of the Lakes Resort
Fishing Resort Osakis

(320) 859-4252

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Other Lakes in Todd County

Bass

122.65 acres

Beauty

240.06 acres

Big Birch

2,106.54 acres

Big Swan

946.56 acres

Buck

61.32 acres

Cedar

138.67 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.