Big Creek Lake

Big Creek Lake

Size
857ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Big Creek Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Crappie
Crappie
Perch
Perch
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
White bass
White bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish

Overview

Big Creek Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • No more than one walleye longer than 20 inches may be taken per day

Special Species Regulations

  • Walleye: Continuous: Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish. Possession Limit: 6 fish. Length Limit: 15-inch minimum length limit.
  • Largemouth Bass: Continuous: Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 3 fish. Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish. Length Limit: 18-inch minimum.

Features

During summer, recreation use is heavy, with large powerboats, sailboats, jet skis and fishing rigs. Many anglers fish the early morning hours due to the high daytime use from June through September. There are no special boating restrictions except for the beaches that are marked with buoys. Boaters are reminded to stay 100 yards or more from the outlet tower. Water levels change drastically. “Low water” describes near normal conditions while “high water” indicates levels from 25 to 55 feet above normal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers an updated recorded telephone message on water levels, boat ramp accesses and flow rates. This information service, called “The Voice of Saylorville Lake” is reached by dialing 515-276-0433. The message does not include fishing reports.

Forage

Gizzard shad are the primary forage base. River shiner, emerald shiner, fathead minnow and bluntnose minnow comprise at to the diversity of the forage base. Juvenile panfish are also utilized.

Seasonal Movements

A small number of white bass and hybrid stripers (wipers) moving upstream in major tributaries during spring. White bass and wipers relate to long shallow points and sand flats during summer when spawning shad are available. Movements of all species can be considered seasonal and relate to river water level fluctuations.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
May
Channel catfish
fish
41-42 in
Length Range
42 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2023
Sep
Crappie
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
May
Flathead catfish
fish
8-29 in
Length Range
21 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2020
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Aug
Largemouth bass
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2024
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202421
202020
Muskellunge
fish
41-42 in
Length Range
42 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Sep
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
Northern pike
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Perch
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
May
Smallmouth bass
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2024
May
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
May
White bass
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
May