Big Birch Lake Fishing
Todd County and Stearns County, 2,107 acres, 81 feet deep.
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Key facts on Big Birch Lake
Big Birch Lake covers 2,107 acres of Todd County and Stearns County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 81 feet, with an average of 28 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 653 acres, roughly 31% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Grey Eagle, about 3 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Little Falls oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 5 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on August 9, 2021. The DNR counted 7.47 walleye per gill net, within its normal range of 4.0-9.6. Across 29 ice-out records the median date is April 13.
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Catch per net set from the standard survey dated August 9, 2021, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 112 | 7.47 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.66 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Special trap nets | 6 | 0.29 | 4.56 | ||
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 87 | 5.8 | 3.0-7.9 | 2.44 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Special trap nets | 346 | 16.48 | 2.11 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 77 | 5.13 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 18 | 1.2 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.4 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Special trap nets | 23 | 1.1 | 0.85 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 207 | 13.8 | 0.13 | ||
| Bluegill | Special trap nets | 164 | 7.81 | 0.06 | ||
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 53 | 3.53 | 0.3-1.2 | 0.96 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Special trap nets | 17 | 0.81 | 1.61 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 30 | 2 | 0.2-0.9 | 1.87 | 0.9-1.8 |
Fish per species in the Big Birch Lake gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Big Birch Lake
“This standard survey report summarizes data collected from 15 gill nets that were deployed the week of August 9, 2021.”
“Catch comparisons can be made to previous standard surveys dating back to 1981.”
“All nets are replicated from the previous survey during the same time of year so that valid comparisons can be made.”
“Species targeted include Walleye, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Big Birch Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Big Birch Lake
- Big Birch Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Birch Lake (SE) Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Millwood Township
- Big Birch Lake, Hunters Bay Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Birch Lake, State Forest Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Stundabecks Bay Access Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Millwood Township
DNR fishing sites on Big Birch Lake
- Big Birch Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, DNR Division of Parks and Trails, Big Birch Lake, State Forest Public Water Access Site
Bays and basins of Big Birch Lake
- Big Birch (NE portion)DNR 77008401
- Big Birch (S portion)DNR 77008402
Boat launches serving Big Birch Lake
- Little Birch Lake AccessLittle Birch, 2 miles west
- Sylvia Lake AccessSylvia, 3 miles southwest
- Trace Lake AccessTrace, 3 miles north
- Bass Lake Access near Grey EagleBass, 3 miles north
- Goose Lake Access near Grey EagleGoose, 3 miles east
- Twin Lakes AccessTwin, 4 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Big Birch Lake gets
Big Birch Lake has 6 clarity readings on file since 2007.
Ice has left Big Birch Lake as early as March 15, 2024 and as late as May 11, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Big Birch Lake
This Big Birch Lake series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Big Birch Lake surveys
LakeFinder builds the Big Birch Lake list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Big Birch Lake
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Big Birch Lake.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Big Birch Lake; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Big Birch Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Birch Lake | 2,107 | 81 | 5 | 7.47 | |
| Little Birch Lake | 2 miles west | 839 | 89 | 1 | 3 |
| Sylvia Lake, Stearns County | 3 miles southwest | 85 | 56 | 1 | 0.33 |
| Bass Lake near Grey Eagle, Todd County | 3 miles north | 94 | 47 | 1 | |
| Hennessy Lake | 3 miles northwest | 52 | 32 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Trace Lake | 4 miles north | 253 | 6 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Big Birch Lake
Neighbor lakes around Big Birch Lake
- Little Birch Lake2 miles west
- Sylvia Lake, Stearns County3 miles southwest
- Bass Lake near Grey Eagle, Todd County3 miles north
- Hennessy Lake3 miles northwest
- Trace Lake4 miles north
Bait and tackle closest to Big Birch Lake
- Nancy's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Grey Eagle, 5 miles
- Sauk Centre Fleet Supplyfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Sauk Centre, 11 miles
- Fletcher's Baitbait and tackle shop, Sauk Centre, 11 miles
- Long Prairie Fleet Supplyfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Long Prairie, 13 miles
- Bialka Luresbait and tackle shop, Holdingford, 14 miles
- Pauls Pump & Pantry Picadilly Pizza & Subsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Osakis, 20 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Big Birch Lake
- Grey Eagle3 miles
- St. Rosa4 miles
- Burtrum7 miles
Big Birch Lake, county lines
- Todd Countyseat: Long Prairie
- Stearns Countyseat: St. Cloud
Piscifun gear suited to Big Birch Lake
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Big Birch Lake questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Big Birch Lake?
Find it in Todd County and Stearns County, managed from the Little Falls fisheries office, about 3 miles from Grey Eagle.
How deep is Big Birch Lake?
Roughly 2,107 acres, 81 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Big Birch Lake?
Try Big Birch Lake, State Forest Access, one of 5 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Big Birch Lake?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How does Big Birch Lake compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of August 9, 2021. walleye ran 7.47 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Big Birch Lake?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Big Birch Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the ice-out date for Big Birch Lake?
April 13 is the median; it went out April 12, 2025 most recently.
Which bait shop is closest to Big Birch Lake?
Nancy's Bait & Tackle is about 5 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Big Birch Lake
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.