Minnesota · Hubbard County
Big Stony Lake Fishing guide
Big Stony Lake covers 343 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 24 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 9.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Excellent numbers7.6per gill net14"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 71 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 71 fish
2022Lengths measured · 34 fish
2017Lengths measured · 33 fish
2012Lengths measured · 61 fish
2007Largemouth bassPresent4.2per gill net10"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 45 fish
2022Lengths measured · 23 fish
2017Lengths measured · 39 fish
2012Lengths measured · 78 fish
2007Northern pikeJust a few2.1per gill net20"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 24 fish
2022Lengths measured · 19 fish
2017Lengths measured · 50 fish
2012Lengths measured · 26 fish
2007BluegillJust a few18.3per trap net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 180 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 180 fish
2022Lengths measured · 450 fish
2017Lengths measured · 321 fish
2012Lengths measured · 305 fish
2007CrappieJust a few8.3per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 85 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 85 fish
2022Lengths measured · 37 fish
2017Lengths measured · 39 fish
2012Lengths measured · 117 fish
2007Yellow perchFair numbers2.7per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 24 fish
2022Lengths measured · 68 fish
2017Lengths measured · 25 fish
2012Lengths measured · 13 fish
2007Rates 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 Stony 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. With 65% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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. With 65% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23" | 16" | 27" |
| 2017 | 22" | 16" | 33" |
| 2012 | 24" | 16" | 34" |
| 2007 | 28" | 15" | 39" |
| 2002 | 28" | 13" | 39" |
| 1997 | 29" | 19" | 37" |
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 · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
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
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
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 | 1,397 fingerlings · 307 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 5,722 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,849 yearlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,930 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 5,965 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Big Stony is located in southern Hubbard County, seven miles south-east of Park Rapids. Big Stony has a surface area of 343 acres and a maximum depth of 24 feet. A DNR owned public access is located on the west shore of the lake. Big Stony provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Largemouth Bass and panfish.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Big Stony is in class 34. Class 34 lakes are generally characterized as regularly shaped, shallow, turbid lakes with hard water. Other class 34 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Alice, Schoolcraft, and Stocking.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye abundance was the highest ever recorded on Big Stony, with two strong year classes of fish that are 12 to 16 inch in length. These fish should provide good angling both now and in the near future. Walleye sampled had an average length of 14.4 inches with fish measuring up to 23.6 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye were sampled in low numbers and generally too small for anglers.
Big Stony supports an abundant Largemouth Bass population. The 2022 sample was in line with recent surveys, with an average length of 10.6 inches and the largest at 16.9 inches.
Big Stony supports a good Black Crappie population and angling for them is popular year-round. Anglers will find good numbers of Black Crappie in the 7.5 - 10 inch size range, with fish up to 11.7 inches sampled. Big Stony also provides good fishing for Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, with most fish in the 6 - 7.5 inch size range.
To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Big Stony Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big Stony 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
- Stony Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Big Stony Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Fourth Crow Wing Lake · 434 ac · 2.6 mi
- Third Crow Wing Lake · 643 ac · 3.2 mi
- Fifth Crow Wing Lake · 400 ac · 3.2 mi
- Second Crow Wing Lake · 221 ac · 3.5 mi
- Island Lake · 225 ac · 3.9 mi
- Long Lake · 1,926 ac · 3.9 mi
- Peysenske Lake · 220 ac · 4 mi
- Palmer Lake · 146 ac · 4.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Big Stony Lake?
Big Stony Lake reaches 24 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 10 ft; about 65% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Big Stony Lake?
Big Stony Lake covers 343 acres with about 5.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Big Stony Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Big Stony Lake average 9.1 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Big Stony Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Big Stony Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Big Stony Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big Stony Lake has one public access site: Stony Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Big Stony Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 23"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Big Stony Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big Stony Lake in 2022, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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