Big Trout

Big trout is a 1,366 acre lake and is a part of the 14,000-acre Whitefish Chain of lakes in northern Crow Wing County. The maximum depth is 128 feet and 27% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. On the east shore of the lake there is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's access off County Road 66. Big Trout is unique as it is the only natural lake in Crow Wing County that is currently stocked with Lake Trout. They have been stocked regularly since 1979 in alternating odd years. Lake Trout sampled were between 10.0" and 33.2" with 37% at least 17". Northern Pike were sampled in average numbers at 5.0 per gill net with a mean length of 23.5". The largest Northern Pike sampled was 32.4" and 31% were at least 26". This lake is a part of the north central zone for Northern Pike. The possession limit is 10 with no more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Walleye were sampled in low numbers at 0.7 per gill net. The average length was 19.7" and the largest fish measured 25.9". Walleyes are not directly stocked into Big Trout Lake; however, the Whitefish chain is stocked annually with fry and every other year with fingerlings. Big Trout has reduced Bluegill and Black Crappie daily limits of five as a connected water to Whitefish. Although these regulations are applied, the coldwater habitat of Big Trout is less conducive to quality panfish management and anglers are likely to find better panfishing in other lakes of the chain. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 12.6 per trap net with an average length of 5.3". The largest fish was 8.2", however only 13% measured 7" or greater. Only one Black Crappie was caught in the trap nets. Largemouth Bass electrofishing was done across the Whitefish Chain, resulting in a catch rate of 44.9 per hour. Average length was 13.1", with fish up to 19.2" sampled. Three Smallmouth Bass were also netted while electrofishing and all of them were over 16". Tullibee (Cisco) and Lake Whitefish are both present in Big Trout Lake. The mean length of Tullibee was 8.2" and the mean length of Lake Whitefish was 14.7". Both are an important prey species for large predators like Northern Pike, Walleye, and Lake Trout. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Big Trout Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested waters because of zebra mussels were confirmed in 2014. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

Big Trout Lake is managed for Lake Trout and it also supports Lake Whitefish and Cisco (Tullibee); additionally, a number of other cool and warm water fish species are found in the lake. The dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles were measured on August 18, 2020 to monitor habitat for Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, and Cisco. Optimal conditions for Lake Trout (less than 11° C [52° F] and greater than or equal to 5 ppm DO) occurred in about 53 vertical ft from a depth of about 34 ft to down to 86 ft. Temperature at a dissolved oxygen concentration of 3 ppm (TDO3) value was 6° C (42° F). Big Trout Lake continues to have late-summer habitat suitable for Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, and Cisco, but in some years (particularly 2008, 2009, and 2016) much of the hypolimnion has marginal oxygen concentrations of around 4 ppm. Big Trout Lake is normally stocked with about 20,000 Lake Trout fingerlings in odd-numbered years with some surplus adults stocked when available.

Big Trout Lake is managed for Lake Trout and it also supports Lake Whitefish and Cisco (Tullibee); additionally, a number of other cool and warm water fish species are found in the lake. The dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles were measured on August 18, 2020 to monitor habitat for Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, and Cisco. Optimal conditions for Lake Trout (less than 11° C [52° F] and greater than or equal to 5 ppm DO) occurred in about 53 vertical ft from a depth of about 34 ft to down to 86 ft. Temperature at a dissolved oxygen concentration of 3 ppm (TDO3) value was 6° C (42° F). Big Trout Lake continues to have late-summer habitat suitable for Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, and Cisco, but in some years (particularly 2008, 2009, and 2016) much of the hypolimnion has marginal oxygen concentrations of around 4 ppm. Big Trout Lake is normally stocked with about 20,000 Lake Trout fingerlings in odd-numbered years with some surplus adults stocked when available.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass in Big Trout. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Big Trout. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Big Trout has a maximum depth of 128 feet and a mean depth of 52 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Big Trout is from 2024.

Yes — Big Trout has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Big Trout, covering crappie and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.