Minnesota · DNR survey data
Big McCarthy Lake
Big McCarthy Lake covers 105 acres in Itasca County, running to 45 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2008. 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
Northern pikeJust a few4.5per gill net19"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
BluegillJust a few15.9per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 145 fish
CrappieJust a few2per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
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 McCarthy Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big McCarthy 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 McCarthy Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Big Sucker Lake · 259 ac · 1.7 mi
- Nashwauk Lake · 168 ac · 3.1 mi
- Bray Lake · 177 ac · 3.9 mi
- Crooked Lake · 465 ac · 4 mi
- Snowball Lake · 145 ac · 5.2 mi
- Ox Hide Lake · 123 ac · 5.4 mi
- Lower Lawrence Lake · 152 ac · 5.5 mi
- Lawrence Lake · 437 ac · 5.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Big McCarthy Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Big McCarthy Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Big McCarthy Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2008) recorded largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Big McCarthy Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big McCarthy Lake has one public access site: Big McCarthy Lake (trailer launch).
Is Big McCarthy Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Big McCarthy Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
When was Big McCarthy Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big McCarthy Lake in 2008, the most recent of 4 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 .