Minnesota · Todd County
Big Birch Lake Fishing guide
Big Birch Lake is a 2,107-acre lake in Todd County, Minnesota, reaching 81 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 6.1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 29 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers7per gill net15"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 236 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 38 fish
2025Lengths measured · 114 fish
2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2023Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2022Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassGood numbers60.4per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 244 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 174 fish
2024Lengths measured · 70 fish
2021Lengths measured · 171 fish
2018Lengths measured · 198 fish
2014Smallmouth bassGood numbers33per hr (electrofishing)16"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 135 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 105 fish
2024Lengths measured · 30 fish
2021Lengths measured · 73 fish
2018Lengths measured · 36 fish
2014Northern pikeJust a few4.2per gill net21"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 480 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 45 fish
2024Lengths measured · 435 fish
2021Lengths measured · 136 fish
2018Lengths measured · 130 fish
2014BluegillPresent14.4per gill net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1307 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 937 fish
2024Lengths measured · 370 fish
2021Lengths measured · 452 fish
2018Lengths measured · 48 fish
2014CrappiePresent17.1per hr (electrofishing)8"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 194 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 154 fish
2024Lengths measured · 40 fish
2021Lengths measured · 49 fish
2018Lengths measured · 7 fish
2014Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchGood numbers7.9per gill net6"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 234 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 157 fish
2024Lengths measured · 77 fish
2021Lengths measured · 7 fish
2018Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 21 fish
2014Rock bassExcellent numbers5.2per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 153 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 99 fish
2024Lengths measured · 54 fish
2021Lengths measured · 104 fish
2018Lengths measured · 60 fish
2014Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Big Birch Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 81 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 81 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24" | — | — |
| 2024 | 27" | 18" | 20" |
| 2023 | 12" | — | — |
| 2022 | 7" | — | — |
| 2021 | 29" | 17" | 20" |
| 2020 | 23" | — | — |
| 2019 | 11" | — | — |
| 2018 | 30" | 17" | 19" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,900,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 25,383 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,900,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 27,550 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,900,000 fry |
| 2020 | Walleye | 13,986 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 950,000 fry · 15,527 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,900,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 950,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 950,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Big Birch Lake is a 2,107 acre lake located near Grey Eagle, Minnesota. The lake consists of an upper and lower basin, has 15.25 miles of shoreline, a maximum depth of 81 feet, and a littoral area of 642 acres. Primary management species on Big Birch Lake are Northern Pike and Walleye while secondary species include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. Night electrofishing in fall has been used to evaluate the success of natural reproduction or spring Walleye fry stocking. A spring stocking of 1,900,000 Walleye fry occurred on May 13, 2025.
Prior years in the fall young of the year Walleye assessments were conducted utilizing one hour of on time. On time was increased to two hours beginning in 2020 as Big Birch Lake is included in a research study to assess the impacts of zebra mussels on Walleye recruitment. In fall 2025, electrofishing efforts were performed to evaluate fry stocking success. Fourteen young of the year Walleye were captured in 1.75 hours of sampling effort (8/hour). Historically, fall electrofishing catch rates have ranged from 0.0/hour (1994, 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024) to 74.5/hour (2011) with a median of 16.1/hour. Young of the year Walleye fall electrofishing catch rates typically correlate well with future Walleye year class strength. Typically, fall catch rates above 35 YWAE per hour indicate good future year classes (greater than 2.0/gill net in standard surveys) whereas lower catch rates predict poorer year classes. A total of 24 yearling to adult Walleye ranged from 8.74 to 24.69 inches were captured for a catch rate of 13.7/hour.
Read the full DNR narrative
Due to low fall young of the year Walleye electrofishing catches since 2019, Walleye fry will continue to be stocked in odd numbered years , but fingerlings will be added in the fall. In even years, 642 pounds of Walleye fingerlings will be stocked by DNR, and an option will be given to the lake group to purchase an additional 642 pounds from a private producer. It is hoped that this strategy will help maintain the Walleye population at a level consistent with management goals. It is important to note that a recent infestation of Zebra Mussels may impact future Walleye populations by impacting productivity in the lake. Big Birch Lake has been included in important ongoing research to determine potential impacts of Zebra Mussels on Walleye populations in lakes in Minnesota.
Other species commonly observed during sampling included Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bowfin, Brook Silverside, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Common Carp.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Big Birch Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big Birch 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 Birch Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Big Birch Lake (SE) (trailer launch)
- Big Birch Lake, Hunters Bay (trailer launch)
- Big Birch Lake, State Forest (trailer launch)
- Big Birch Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Big Birch Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Birch Lake · 839 ac · 2.1 mi
- Sylvia Lake · 85 ac · 2.7 mi
- Bass Lake · 94 ac · 3 mi
- Hennessy Lake · 52 ac · 3.4 mi
- Trace Lake · 253 ac · 3.5 mi
- Fuller Lake · 52 ac · 3.8 mi
- Mary Lake · 129 ac · 3.9 mi
- Twin Lake · 121 ac · 4.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Big Birch Lake?
Big Birch Lake reaches 81 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 28 ft; about 30% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Big Birch Lake?
Big Birch Lake covers 2,107 acres with about 15.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Big Birch Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Big Birch Lake average 6.1 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Big Birch Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Big Birch Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Big Birch Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big Birch Lake has 5 public access sites, including Big Birch Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Big Birch Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2018.
When was Big Birch Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big Birch Lake in 2025, the most recent of 29 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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