Minnesota · Becker County
Big Cormorant Lake Fishing guide
Big Cormorant Lake sits in Becker County, Minnesota, and covers 3,657 acres, reaching 75 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 18.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 21 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024One of the best around15.1per gill net16"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 937 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 173 fish
2025Lengths measured · 209 fish
2024Lengths measured · 229 fish
2023Lengths measured · 120 fish
2022Largemouth bassJust a few10.3per hr (electrofishing)8"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 89 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 9 fish
2024Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 43 fish
2023Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Smallmouth bassJust a few0.8per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 426 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 71 fish
2025Lengths measured · 39 fish
2024Lengths measured · 50 fish
2023Lengths measured · 129 fish
2022Northern pikeFair numbers7.1per gill net23"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 423 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 82 fish
2025Lengths measured · 90 fish
2024Lengths measured · 102 fish
2023Lengths measured · 89 fish
2022BluegillJust a few9.7per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1248 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 196 fish
2025Lengths measured · 341 fish
2024Lengths measured · 283 fish
2023Lengths measured · 263 fish
2022CrappieJust a few1.2per trap net9"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2024Lengths measured · 19 fish
2023Lengths measured · 5 fish
2022Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchExcellent numbers16.2per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 974 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 233 fish
2025Lengths measured · 278 fish
2024Lengths measured · 180 fish
2023Lengths measured · 122 fish
2022Rock bassElite fishery26.6per gill net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1628 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 247 fish
2025Lengths measured · 422 fish
2024Lengths measured · 376 fish
2023Lengths measured · 354 fish
2022Rates 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 Cormorant Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 18.6 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 75 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 18.6 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 75 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23" | 35" | 15" |
| 2024 | 24" | 31" | 19" |
| 2023 | 27" | 36" | 18" |
| 2022 | 23" | 35" | 15" |
| 2021 | 23" | 37" | 11" |
| 2020 | 25" | 35" | 14" |
| 2019 | 26" | 34" | 14" |
| 2017 | 25" | 36" | 15" |
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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 812,471 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 812,046 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 406,562 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 406,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Big Cormorant is a 3,657-acre lake located in southwestern Becker County. It is well-suited to Walleyes, which were reportedly introduced during the early part of the 20th century. A targeted fisheries survey using 12 gill nets was completed in August 2025 to assess the Walleye population of Big Cormorant Lake. Gill nets are also the standard sampling gear for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch, providing a secondary opportunity to utilize survey data on these game species.
Walleye catch rates remained relatively stable (approximately 20 Walleye per gill net) in Big Cormorant Lake until 2014. Beginning with the 2014 survey, catch rates have consistently fallen below the lake's historic average catch rate of 20.7 Walleye per gill net and reached a historic low of ten Walleye per gill net in 2022. In 2025, the Walleye catch rate was 14.4 Walleye per gill net which decreased from the 2024 catch rate of 17.4 Walleye per net. The average length of a Walleye was 14 inches and the longest Walleye measured was 23 inches. Walleyes were sampled from 17 different ages with fish as old as 20 years collected. Young fish were most abundant, with fish four years old or less making up 77% of the sample. Fish that were 14 years old also showed up in better numbers than would be expected.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Northern Pike gill net catch in Big Cormorant Lake has remained stable since the 2002 survey and the 2025 catch rate of 6.8 pike per net was no exception. The average length of Northern Pike surveyed in 2025 was 23 inches and the longest was 35.5 inches. About 39% of the pike sampled were over 24 inches.
The Yellow Perch catch rate of 19.5 per gill net was the fifth highest recorded for the lake and continues a trend of above average numbers for the lake. Perch averaged 6.6 inches and the longest was 9.6 inches. Smallmouth Bass gill net catch rate increased to six bass per net from 3.3 per net observed in the 2024 survey. Smallmouth Bass averaged 14.1 inches with fish up to 19.2 inches caught. A fair number of Bluegills were caught in gill nets. Bluegill averaged eight inches long and measured up to 9.7 inches. Of interest for anglers, 64% of the Bluegills caught were over eight inches. Rock Bass abundance returned to more normal levels in 2025, with gill nets capturing an average of 21 fish per net. Rock Bass averaged eight inches and the longest was 11 inches. Anglers have a good opportunity to harvest Rock Bass as 58% of the fish sampled were over eight inches. Other species sampled were Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Black Crappie, hybrid sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Big Cormorant Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big Cormorant 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.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Big Cormorant Lake fishing reports → · Becker County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Cormorant Lake (NE) (trailer launch)
- Cormorant Lake (W) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Big Cormorant Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Leif Lake · 521 ac · 2.4 mi
- Middle Cormorant Lake · 373 ac · 2.6 mi
- Maud Lake · 517 ac · 3.2 mi
- Ida Lake · 632 ac · 3.3 mi
- Little Cormorant Lake · 1,067 ac · 3.8 mi
- Upper Cormorant Lake · 974 ac · 4.1 mi
- Eunice Lake · 378 ac · 4.2 mi
- Pelican Lake · 3,962 ac · 4.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Big Cormorant Lake?
Big Cormorant Lake reaches 75 ft at its deepest point; about 22% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Big Cormorant Lake?
Big Cormorant Lake covers 3,657 acres with about 18.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Big Cormorant Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Big Cormorant Lake average 18.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Big Cormorant Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Big Cormorant Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2021.
Does Big Cormorant Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big Cormorant Lake has 2 public access sites, including Cormorant Lake (NE) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Big Cormorant Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2017.
When was Big Cormorant Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big Cormorant Lake in 2025, the most recent of 21 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Big Cormorant Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Big Cormorant Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report