Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 5, 2023
Big Bass Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Big Bass Lake average 8.03 smallmouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 5, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–18 inches. In Hubbard County, Minnesota, Big Bass Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 19.4 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Big Bass Lake
12 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Big Bass Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Big Bass Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Big Bass Lake average 8.03 smallmouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 5, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–18 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Big Bass Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
8 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-06-05 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 116.42 | — |
| Bluegill | 24.75 | 0.15 lb |
| Smallmouth Bass | 8.03 | 1.44 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 7.61 | 0.26 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 6.08 | 0.18 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Smallmouth Bass
Hybrid Sunfish
Yellow Perch
From the 2023-06-05 survey
Big Bass is located three miles northeast of Akeley in Hubbard County. Big Bass has a surface area of 132 acres and a maximum depth of 60 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the south shore of the lake. Big Bass provides fishing opportunities for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, panfish, Northern…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Big Bass Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Big BassFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Big Bass (1308)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Big BassFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Big BassPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Big Bass Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Big Bass Lake average 8.03 smallmouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 5, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–18 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 12 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Big Bass Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Big Bass Lake is dated June 5, 2023. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Big Bass Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Big Bass Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Big Bass Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Big Bass Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Big Bass Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Big Bass Lake
Planning a trip to Big Bass Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Big Bass Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.