Big Trout

Crow Wing County, Minnesota — DOW #18031500

182 Surveys

Special Regulations for Big Trout

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

Daily limit five. (Whitefish Chain including connected Cross Lake Reservoir, Lower Hay, Arrowhead, Bertha, Clamshell, Big Trout, Pig, Island-Loon, Rush-Hen, Dagget, and Little Pine lakes)

Invasive Species Alert

Big Trout has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

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

1,366.29

Acres

128 ft

Max Depth

52 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.4	—	0.10 lb	5
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	12.6 (normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.12 lb	151
1995-07-17	Survey seining	9.5	—	0.02 lb	57
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	50.0 (above normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.04 lb	600
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.27 lb	6
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	16.8 (normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.05 lb	202
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	4.3	—	—	5
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	19.2	—	—	211
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	—	2

LKW

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.9	1.61 lb	22
2024-07-22	Deep gill nets	7.3	—	0.99 lb	73
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	3.1 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.9	0.74 lb	37
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	2.1 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.9	0.84 lb	25
2018-07-23	Deep gill nets	2.4	—	1.10 lb	24

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	0.15 lb	7
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.14 lb	30
1995-07-17	Survey seining	1.7	—	—	10
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	8.8 (above normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.12 lb	106
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.4	—	0.25 lb	5
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	2.6 (normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.10 lb	31
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	2.9	—	—	32

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Deep gill nets	0.1	—	0.04 lb	1
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.7 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.22 lb	32
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.10 lb	6
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.9 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.09 lb	11
1995-07-17	Survey seining	4.7	—	0.03 lb	28
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	2.7 (normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.16 lb	32
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.7 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.38 lb	20
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.10 lb	5
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	2.7	—	—	30
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	—	2

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Deep gill nets	1.5	—	3.42 lb	15
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	3.07 lb	60
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	2.64 lb	5
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.94 lb	44
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.35 lb	3
2018-07-23	Deep gill nets	1.1	—	2.47 lb	11
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	7.0 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.27 lb	84
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	2.07 lb	10

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.9 – 4.8	1.04 lb	1
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.6 – 6.4	0.85 lb	5
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.9 – 4.8	0.81 lb	17
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	0.84 lb	9
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.9 – 4.8	1.07 lb	3
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	0.89 lb	11
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.2	2.38 lb	1
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	5.09 lb	4
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	5.63 lb	13
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.1	5.38 lb	3

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.22 lb	6
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	5.4	—	0.20 lb	65
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.5	—	—	3
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	6.6	—	0.16 lb	79
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.24 lb	4
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	5.2	—	0.14 lb	62
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	—	2
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	0.6	—	—	6
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.79 lb	8
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.67 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.72 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.04 lb	1
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.2 – 1.1	1.04 lb	8
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.50 lb	6

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.6	1.66 lb	1
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	4.54 lb	3
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.6	0.07 lb	10
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	2.09 lb	6
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.5	—	—	3
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.1 – 0.6	0.12 lb	7
2018-07-23	Deep gill nets	0.2	—	4.18 lb	2
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	2.65 lb	10
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	2.6	—	—	3
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	2.3	—	—	25
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	—	2

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	4.0 – 9.6	3.15 lb	8
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.9	0.54 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	4.0 – 9.6	3.92 lb	7
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.9	0.17 lb	1
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.8 (below normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.90 lb	21

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.33 lb	3
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.0 – 3.5	0.68 lb	6
1995-07-17	Survey seining	2.0	—	—	12
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.92 lb	5
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	2.71 lb	13
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.10 lb	1
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 3.5	2.48 lb	10
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	3.4	—	—	4

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.5	2.78 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 0.5	3.17 lb	3
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 0.8	0.15 lb	3
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.5	3.28 lb	1

Lake Trout

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	3.25 lb	7
2024-07-22	Deep gill nets	0.5	—	6.39 lb	5
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	1.4	—	4.46 lb	17
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	4.60 lb	6
2018-07-23	Deep gill nets	0.3	—	4.10 lb	3

GRR

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	5.97 lb	1
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	8.03 lb	1

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Deep gill nets	9.7	—	0.18 lb	97
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.4 (normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.19 lb	29
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	13.9 (above normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.12 lb	167
2018-07-23	Deep gill nets	20.7	—	0.14 lb	207
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	5.2 (normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.16 lb	62

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.02 lb	2
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.6	1.07 lb	2
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.64 lb	2
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.86 lb	2
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	—	1

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	0.08 lb	4
1995-07-17	Survey seining	5.8	—	—	35
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	0.23 lb	1
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	0.04 lb	3
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	6.9	—	—	8
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	2

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.27 lb	24
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.09 lb	35
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.64 lb	9
1995-07-17	Survey seining	6.3	—	—	38
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	3.5 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.18 lb	42
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.65 lb	30
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	3.7 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.19 lb	44
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	11
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	1.6	—	—	8
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	9.4	—	—	11

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.16 lb	8
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.4	1.39 lb	3
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.63 lb	4
1995-07-17	Survey seining	8.3	—	—	50
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	2.2 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.4	0.12 lb	26
2018-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.49 lb	11
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.4 – 1.4	0.21 lb	13
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	4.3	—	—	47
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	1.4	—	—	7
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	14.6	—	—	17

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	0.09 lb	7
1995-07-17	Survey seining	17.2	—	—	103
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.07 lb	2
2018-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.07 lb	5

BCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.3	—	2
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	3.4	—	4
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	1

FND

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.3	—	2

SLR

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	4.74 lb	1

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	1.8	—	11
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	1.6	—	8
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	2

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	49.0	—	294
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	32.6	—	163
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	36.0	—	42
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	28.3	—	311

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.2	—	1

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	5.7	—	34
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	14.4	—	72
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	52.3	—	61
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	6.5	—	72

Logperch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	2.8	—	17
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	2.4	—	26

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.2	—	1
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	2.5	—	28
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	2
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	68.6	—	80

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	10.2	—	61
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.6	—	3

NRD

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.2	—	1

LED

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	1
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	2.6	—	3
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	0.2	—	2

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	3
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	1.8	—	9

BMS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	3.3	—	36

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	5
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	7.7	—	9
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	0.5	—	5

Mimic Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	2.8	—	14
2018-08-20	50-ft beach seine	2.3	—	25

Mottled Sculpin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	2

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	Backpack electrofishing	64.3	—	75

PGS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-08-20	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	2

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Public Access — Big Trout

1 public water access site on Big Trout.

Big Trout PWA (Crow Wing)

Boat Ramp

Maintained by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Get Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

★ 4.3

66 marine north storage

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Deerwood, MN

(218) 534-3435

★ 4.3

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Deerwood, MN

(218) 678-2096

★ 4.2

Bell Marine LLC

Merrifield, MN

(218) 821-0842

Boats and beyond - dock

Brainerd, MN

(218) 963-7700

★ 4.9

Resorts & Lodges Near Big Trout

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Big Trout.

Bay Colony Inn (A Gull Lake Beach Resorts Property)

Fishing Resort Nisswa

(218) 656-6965

Crosslake Cabin

Fishing Resort Crosslake

Crosslake Cabins

Fishing Resort Crosslake

Crosslake Vacations & Rentals

Fishing Resort Crosslake

(218) 656-0403

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Greater Redhorse Green Sunfish Hybrid Sunfish Lake Trout Lake Whitefish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Shorthead Redhorse Smallmouth Bass Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Big Trout

371 Outdoors (Ice Forts)

Fishing Guide

(218) 824-1722

Blong's Brainerd Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 825-8965

Brainerd Fishing Guides

(218) 829-7010

(218) 692-7368

(320) 345-7111

Let's Go Fishing Brd Lks Chapter

Fishing Guide

(218) 454-3474

View all 15 guides →

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Plan Your Trip to Big Trout

Weather forecast for Big Trout — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.7177°N, 94.1596°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 Trout

Special Regulations for Big Trout

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Bluegill

LKW

Pumpkinseed

Yellow Perch

Northern Pike

Yellow Bullhead

Bowfin

Hybrid Sunfish

Black Crappie

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

White Sucker

Shorthead Redhorse

Lake Trout

GRR

Tullibee (Cisco)

Brown Bullhead

Green Sunfish

Rock Bass

Largemouth Bass

Common Shiner

BCS

FND

SLR

BNS

Bluntnose Minnow

Golden Shiner

BKF

Logperch

Johnny Darter

Spottail Shiner

NRD

LED

Tadpole Madtom

BMS

Iowa Darter

Mimic Shiner

Mottled Sculpin

CNM

PGS

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Public Access — Big Trout

Big Trout PWA (Crow Wing)

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Adventure To Go - Nisswa

Bertha Boatworks

Birch Island Outdoors

Brad Dwyer Outdoors

Crow Wing Kayaks

Dunham's Sports

Fish Lectronics of Nisswa

Fishy Gifts

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

66 marine north storage

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Bell Marine LLC

Boats and beyond - dock

Resorts & Lodges Near Big Trout

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Big Trout

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Adney

Agate

Allen

Ann

Anna

Arrowhead

Plan Your Trip to Big Trout