Big Carr Lake

Big Carr Lake

Size
208ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Big Carr Lake
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Lake trout
Lake trout
Rock bass
Rock bass
Crappie
Crappie
Bluegill
Bluegill
Perch
Perch
Northern pike
Northern pike
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed

Overview

Big Carr 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 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.

Special Species Regulations

  • Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length is 15”, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20” to 24” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24” is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3
  • Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
  • Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
  • Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
  • 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
  • Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
  • Largemouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 21, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
  • Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
7-13 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
22
0Statewide Range849.0614

Big Carr 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
2008
May
2024
May
Crappie
fish
7-13 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
2
0Statewide Range84.8403

Big Carr 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
2024
May
Lake trout
fish
19-20 in
Length Range
20 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.0052
0Statewide Range0.25275

Big Carr Lake Lake trout 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
Nov
Largemouth bass
fish
7-13 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
92.5407
0Statewide Range83.5649

Big Carr 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
2016
Sep
2024
May
Muskellunge
fish
21-31 in
Length Range
27 in
Length Range
2016
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2016
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
2006
Sep
2016
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized muskellunge based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201649
Northern pike
fish
21-31 in
Length Range
27 in
Length Range
2016
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2016
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
2016
Apr
Perch
fish
6-7 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2015
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2015
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
2008
May
2015
Oct
Pumpkinseed
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
Rock bass
fish
7-13 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
26
0Statewide Range62.50905

Big Carr 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
2008
May
2015
Oct
2024
May
Smallmouth bass
fish
7-13 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
85.8104
0Statewide Range80.5292

Big Carr Lake Smallmouth 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
2016
Sep
2024
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201628
Walleye
fish
21-31 in
Length Range
27 in
Length Range
2016
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2016
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
2006
Sep
2008
May
2016
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201630