Minnesota · DNR survey data
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake covers 143 acres in St. Louis County, running to 15 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2009. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeJust a few0.5per gill net20"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2009Lengths measured · 13 fish
2009Lengths measured · 2 fish
2001Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
1996Northern pikeJust a few4.3per gill net19"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2009Lengths measured · 31 fish
2009Lengths measured · 17 fish
2001Lengths measured · 29 fish
1996BluegillJust a few1.4per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
No recent survey rating.
Yellow perchFair numbers3per gill net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2009Lengths measured · 28 fish
2009Lengths measured · 46 fish
2001Lengths measured · 71 fish
1996No recent survey rating.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
Recent reports
Big Bear Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big Bear Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Big Bear Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- White Lake · 123 ac · 1.6 mi
- Pequaywan Lake · 425 ac · 2.3 mi
- Smith Lake · 193 ac · 3.9 mi
- Wolf Lake · 456 ac · 4.7 mi
- Little Stone Lake · 169 ac · 4.8 mi
- Indian Lake · 57 ac · 5.4 mi
- Donna Lake · 18 ac · 5.4 mi
- Harris Lake · 68 ac · 7.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Big Bear Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Big Bear Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Big Bear Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2009) recorded walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Big Bear Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big Bear Lake has one public access site: Big Bear Lake (trailer launch).
Is Big Bear Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Big Bear Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
When was Big Bear Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big Bear Lake in 2009, the most recent of 5 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .