Big Round Lake

Big Round Lake

Size
1,013ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Big Round Lake
Walleye
Walleye
Bluegill
Bluegill
Northern pike
Northern pike
Rock bass
Rock bass
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Crappie
Crappie
Perch
Perch
Muskellunge
Muskellunge

Overview

Outstanding spring largemouth action. Crappie add to the attraction along with quality walleye and a few trophy muskie.

Big Round 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

  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.

Special Species Regulations

  • Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
  • Smallmouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
  • Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Largemouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
  • Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
  • Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
  • Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
  • Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 3
  • Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Crappies: See Panfish.
  • Channel catfish: See Catfish.
  • Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
  • Bluegill: See Panfish.
  • White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office

Forage

Juvenile panfish and various minnow species.
Waterbody poster background

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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
2-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
371.8887
0Statewide Range849.0614

Big Round Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2012
May
2018
May
2021
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20219
20189
Crappie
fish
2-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
4.3924
0Statewide Range84.8403

Big Round Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2018
May
2021
Jun
Largemouth bass
fish
7-18 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
58.0952
0Statewide Range111.1888

Big Round Lake Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
Sep
2022
Sep
Muskellunge
fish
38-39 in
Length Range
39 in
Length Range
2012
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2012
Surveyed
Trapnet
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
2012
Apr
Northern pike
fish
12-34 in
Length Range
21 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
6.9565
0Statewide Range16.72075

Big Round Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized northern-pike based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201740
201638
Perch
fish
2-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
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
2012
May
2018
May
2021
Jun
Pumpkinseed
fish
2-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
30.7467
0Statewide Range84.67115

Big Round Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2012
May
2018
May
2021
Jun
Rock bass
fish
2-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
17.5695
0Statewide Range62.50905

Big Round Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2012
May
2021
Jun
Walleye
fish
8-30 in
Length Range
18 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.4369
0Statewide Range0.75905

Big Round Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2022
Sep
2024
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202429