Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Big Trout Lake Fishing guide
Big Trout Lake is a 1,366-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 128 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 13.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 19 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassPresent0.7per gill net13"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2018Lengths measured · 37 fish
2011Lengths measured · 63 fish
2005Northern pikeJust a few3.4per gill net24"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 80 fish
2024Lengths measured · 105 fish
2018Lengths measured · 97 fish
2011Lengths measured · 4 fish
2008Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillJust a few12.6per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 155 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 155 fish
2024Lengths measured · 208 fish
2018Lengths measured · 271 fish
2011Lengths measured · 556 fish
2005Yellow perchFair numbers1.5per gill net6"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 39 fish
2024Lengths measured · 25 fish
2018Lengths measured · 27 fish
2011Lengths measured · 32 fish
2005Lake troutLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 12 fish
2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2018Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2008Lengths measured · 27 fish
2005Rock bassExcellent numbers2.9per trap net4"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 59 fish
2024Lengths measured · 74 fish
2018Lengths measured · 74 fish
2011Lengths measured · 94 fish
2005Rates 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 Trout Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13.2 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 128 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. At 13.2 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 128 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25" | 16" | 20" |
| 2018 | 25" | 15" | 19" |
| 2011 | 28" | 16" | 16" |
| 2005 | 26" | 15" | 19" |
| 2000 | 25" | 17" | 15" |
| 1995 | 26" | 15" | 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
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 | Lake Trout | 23,229 yearlings |
| 2023 | Lake Trout | 20,676 yearlings |
| 2021 | Lake Trout | 20,500 yearlings |
| 2020 | Lake Trout | 200 yearlings |
| 2019 | Lake Trout | 26,110 yearlings · 149 adults |
| 2017 | Lake Trout | 21,888 yearlings · 342 adults |
| 2016 | Lake Trout | 106 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Big trout is a 1,366 acre lake and is a part of the 14,000-acre Whitefish Chain of lakes in northern Crow Wing County. The maximum depth is 128 feet and 27% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. On the east shore of the lake there is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's access off County Road 66.
Big Trout is unique as it is the only natural lake in Crow Wing County that is currently stocked with Lake Trout. They have been stocked regularly since 1979 in alternating odd years. Lake Trout sampled were between 10.0" and 33.2" with 37% at least 17".
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike were sampled in average numbers at 5.0 per gill net with a mean length of 23.5". The largest Northern Pike sampled was 32.4" and 31% were at least 26". This lake is a part of the north central zone for Northern Pike. The possession limit is 10 with no more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released.
Walleye were sampled in low numbers at 0.7 per gill net. The average length was 19.7" and the largest fish measured 25.9". Walleyes are not directly stocked into Big Trout Lake; however, the Whitefish chain is stocked annually with fry and every other year with fingerlings.
Big Trout has reduced Bluegill and Black Crappie daily limits of five as a connected water to Whitefish. Although these regulations are applied, the coldwater habitat of Big Trout is less conducive to quality panfish management and anglers are likely to find better panfishing in other lakes of the chain. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 12.6 per trap net with an average length of 5.3". The largest fish was 8.2", however only 13% measured 7" or greater. Only one Black Crappie was caught in the trap nets.
Largemouth Bass electrofishing was done across the Whitefish Chain, resulting in a catch rate of 44.9 per hour. Average length was 13.1", with fish up to 19.2" sampled. Three Smallmouth Bass were also netted while electrofishing and all of them were over 16".
Tullibee (Cisco) and Lake Whitefish are both present in Big Trout Lake. The mean length of Tullibee was 8.2" and the mean length of Lake Whitefish was 14.7". Both are an important prey species for large predators like Northern Pike, Walleye, and Lake Trout.
Big Trout Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested waters because of zebra mussels were confirmed in 2014. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Big Trout Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big Trout 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 Trout (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Big Trout Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Island Lake · 232 ac · 1.4 mi
- Ox Lake · 241 ac · 2.1 mi
- Rush Lake · 858 ac · 2.2 mi
- Arrowhead Lake · 296 ac · 2.8 mi
- Pig Lake · 196 ac · 3.1 mi
- Pleasant Lake · 22 ac · 3.5 mi
- Daggett Lake · 258 ac · 3.7 mi
- Whitefish Lake · 7,714 ac · 3.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Big Trout Lake?
Big Trout Lake reaches 128 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 52 ft; about 27% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Big Trout Lake?
Big Trout Lake covers 1,366 acres with about 8.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Big Trout Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Big Trout Lake average 13.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Big Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Big Trout Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked lake trout in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Big Trout Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big Trout Lake has one public access site: Big Trout (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Big Trout 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 1995.
When was Big Trout Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big Trout Lake in 2024, the most recent of 19 surveys on record.
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