Big Stone Lake

Big Stone Lake

Size
11,885ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Big Stone Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie
White bass
White bass
Rock bass
Rock bass
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Walleye
Walleye
Northern pike
Northern pike
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed

Overview

Has one of the highest numbers of walleye per acre in the state. Good numbers of 1-to 2-pound bass around. Nice perch and crappie. Water straddles the Minnesota/South Dakota border.

Big Stone 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 Species Regulations

  • Walleye: Minimum length - 28 inches, daily limit - 1 fish
  • Sunfish: daily limit - 10 fish
  • Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: daily limit - 6 fish
  • Crappie: daily limit - 10 fish
  • Catfish: daily limit - 5, only one 24 inches or longer
  • Rock Bass: daily limit - 20 fish
  • Lake Sturgeon: catch and release season June 16 - April 14, season closed rest of year

Forage

Yellow perch, shiner, white sucker, redhorse, carp, quillback, buffalo, sheepshead, bullhead and panfish.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
17.2
0Statewide Range74.0278

Big Stone 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202410
202310
20229
20219
20209
Channel catfish
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.3333
0Statewide Range12.3499

Big Stone Lake Channel catfish 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Crappie
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.3
0Statewide Range10.4166

Big Stone 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Largemouth bass
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.1667
0Statewide Range3.6668

Big Stone 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Northern pike
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.3333
0Statewide Range19.75

Big Stone 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Perch
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
166
0Statewide Range43.5833

Big Stone Lake Perch 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized perch based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202012
201912
201612
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
2003
May
2005
Jun
Rock bass
fish
6-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2015
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2015
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.3333
0Statewide Range6.5668

Big Stone 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
Jun
2015
Jul
Sturgeon
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.6667
0Statewide Range1.7371

Big Stone Lake Sturgeon 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
Sep
Walleye
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
4.6667
0Statewide Range16.9168

Big Stone 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202328
White bass
fish
3-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
10.3333
0Statewide Range20.2135

Big Stone Lake White 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
2015
Jul
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized white-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202417