Big McDonald Lake

Big McDonald Lake

Size
972ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Big McDonald Lake
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass

Overview

Big McDonald Lake Map

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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
17
0Statewide Range74.0278

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20219
20179
Crappie
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
2.4545
0Statewide Range10.4166

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug
Largemouth bass
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.5556
0Statewide Range3.6668

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug
Northern pike
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
5.8889
0Statewide Range19.75

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug
Perch
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.8889
0Statewide Range43.5833

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug
Pumpkinseed
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.8182
0Statewide Range8.4166

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug
Rock bass
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.3636
0Statewide Range4.2223

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug
Walleye
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
7.2222
0Statewide Range16.9168

Big McDonald 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
2017
Aug
2021
Aug