Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Big McDonald Lake Fishing guide
Big McDonald Lake covers 992 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 46 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 13 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers8.4per gill net17"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 171 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 97 fish
2025Lengths measured · 74 fish
2021Lengths measured · 94 fish
2017Lengths measured · 63 fish
2013Largemouth bassJust a few1.4per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 55 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 34 fish
2025Lengths measured · 21 fish
2021Lengths measured · 119 fish
2017Lengths measured · 106 fish
2013Northern pikeGood numbers10.2per gill net18"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 208 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 151 fish
2025Lengths measured · 57 fish
2021Lengths measured · 74 fish
2017Lengths measured · 75 fish
2013BluegillJust a few13.5per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 468 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 243 fish
2025Lengths measured · 225 fish
2021Lengths measured · 465 fish
2017Lengths measured · 186 fish
2013CrappieJust a few1.4per trap net9"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 53 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 17 fish
2025Lengths measured · 36 fish
2021Lengths measured · 57 fish
2017Lengths measured · 130 fish
2013Yellow perchFair numbers3.9per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 37 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 37 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1 fish
2017Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2013Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2008Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rock bassGood numbers1.1per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 46 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 42 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2017Lengths measured · 7 fish
2013Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates 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 McDonald Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13 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 46 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 13 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 46 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 | 25" | 32" | 17" |
| 2021 | 25" | 26" | 15" |
| 2017 | 24" | 27" | 17" |
| 2013 | 28" | 28" | 18" |
| 2008 | 24" | 33" | 18" |
| 2004 | 26" | 27" | 14" |
| 1999 | 26" | 33" | 17" |
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 · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 4,250 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 4,427 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,500 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 8,212 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 996 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 5,800 fingerlings · 792 yearlings · 212 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 8,249 fingerlings · 68 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 484 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 576 fingerlings · 1,776 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Big McDonald Lake is a 935-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately nine miles west of Perham, MN. Big McDonald Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed. The immediate watershed is primarily composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Big McDonald Lake is connected to McDonald (Schwartz) Lake by a navigable channel located along the southeast shoreline. An unnavigable outlet is located along the south shoreline of the lake and connects Big McDonald Lake with Round Lake. Big McDonald Lake has a maximum depth of 46 feet; however, 39% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2025 survey was 15.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 9.0 to 14.9 feet.
The north and west shorelines of Big McDonald Lake have been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the development. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located off of County Road 35 along the northwest shoreline of the lake. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are located along the west, south, and east shorelines. Areas of common cattail and wild rice are also scattered along the southwest shoreline. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush, cattail, and wild rice provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat.
Read the full DNR narrative
Big McDonald Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-Walleye type of lake, and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species present.
The Walleye population continues to be abundant. Several strong year classes are present and should provide good Walleye angling for several years. Walleye ranged in length from 8.7 to 25.9 inches with an average length and weight of 17.9 inches and 2.0 pounds. MN DNR Fisheries maintains the Walleye population at a viable level by stocking Walleye fingerlings on an every-other-year basis. Walleyes exhibit excellent growth rates with an average length of 15.4 inches at four years of age.
Northern Pike abundance increased compared to previous surveys and Northern Pike size structure remains poor. Northern Pike ranged in length from 14.3 to 32.4 inches with an average length and weight of 18.9 inches and 1.5 pounds.
The Bluegill population is moderately abundant. Bluegill reproduction remains consistently good. A quality size structure exists as 27% of the Bluegills were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.6 inches at seven years of age.
The Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie populations have also been historically abundant with excellent size structures, consistently good reproduction, and average growth.
There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect of Big McDonald Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
Big McDonald Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Big McDonald Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big McDonald 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 McDonald Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Big McDonald Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- West McDonald Lake · 597 ac · 0.9 mi
- McDonald Lake · 561 ac · 1 mi
- Hoffman Lake · 157 ac · 1.5 mi
- Round Lake · 173 ac · 2.1 mi
- Sybil Lake · 683 ac · 3.2 mi
- Little McDonald Lake · 1,316 ac · 3.3 mi
- Paul Lake · 347 ac · 3.6 mi
- East Silent Lake · 324 ac · 4.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Big McDonald Lake?
Big McDonald Lake reaches 46 ft at its deepest point; about 37% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Big McDonald Lake?
Big McDonald Lake covers 992 acres with about 5.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Big McDonald Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Big McDonald Lake average 13 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Big McDonald Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Big McDonald Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Big McDonald Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big McDonald Lake has one public access site: Big McDonald Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Big McDonald Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.
When was Big McDonald Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big McDonald Lake in 2025, the most recent of 9 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 McDonald Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Big McDonald Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report