Big Stone Lake Fishing
Big Stone County, 11,984 acres, 16 feet deep.
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Big Stone Lake, the basics
Count on 11,984 acres of water at Big Stone Lake, a lake in Big Stone County. The DNR depth record tops out at 16 feet, with an average of 11 feet. Roughly 76% of the water (9,090 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Clinton sits about 9 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the Ortonville area fisheries office. It is South Dakota-Minnesota border water, so shared border rules apply.
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The DNR access layer lists 8 public water accesses. DNR crews completed a standard survey on September 23, 2024. Walleye came in at 4.67 per gill net, within the normal range for similar lakes (3.2-15.3). Ice goes out around April 10 in a typical year (125 records).
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Figures are from the September 23, 2024 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 28 | 4.67 | 3.2-15.3 | 2.95 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.3 | 0.3-1.7 | 2.34 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 14 | 2.33 | 1.2-7.8 | 4.95 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.13 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 996 | 166 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.14 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 44 | 2.2 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.18 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 52 | 8.67 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.5 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 26 | 1.3 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.45 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 27 | 4.5 | 0.64 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 344 | 17.2 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.68 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.17 | 0.3-1.8 | 0.05 | 0.3-1.1 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.2 | 0.1-0.8 | 3.84 | 0.4-1.5 |
Gill net results from Big Stone Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Big Stone Lake
“Big Stone Lake is in western Minnesota adjacent to the town of Ortonville on the Minnesota-South Dakota border.”
“It is 27 miles long, up to one mile wide, 12,610 acres, and has a maximum depth of 16 feet.”
“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks co-manage the fishery and Border Waters fishing regulations apply.”
“Big Stone Lake provides good fishing for yellow perch, bluegills, largemouth bass, walleyes, white bass, black crappies and freshwater drum.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Big Stone Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Big Stone Lake by boat
- Big Stone Lake, #8 Access4 ramps, 66 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, City of Ortonville
- Big Stone Lake, Mallard Point Access2 ramps, 28 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Stone Lake, Bonanza Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Stone Lake, Hornsteins Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Stone Lake, Kanne Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Stone Lake, Meadowbrook, SPK Rd Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Stone Lake, Ortonville (N) Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, City of Ortonville
- Big Stone Lake, W Meadow Brook Rd Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Fishing piers and shore sites on Big Stone Lake
- Big Stone Lake Fishing Pier, Big Stone Lake, #8 Public Water Access Sitefishing pier, City of Ortonville, Big Stone Lake, #8 Public Water Access Site
Landings around Big Stone Lake on the map
- Botker's Slough AccessUnnamed, 9 miles northeast
- Barry Lake AccessBarry, 10 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Big Stone Lake
The clarity record for Big Stone Lake holds 31 Secchi readings going back to 2006.
The DNR record shows Big Stone Lake opening as early as March 14, 2024 and as late as May 8, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Big Stone Lake level reading
The DNR lake level record for Big Stone Lake is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum LOCAL).
Species the DNR has recorded in Big Stone Lake
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Big Stone Lake list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Big Stone Lake
No special regulation names Big Stone Lake, so the statewide inland rows apply.
South Dakota-Minnesota border regulations at Big Stone Lake
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 4 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20") | Continuous |
| Northern pike (angling) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 6 | Continuous |
| Northern pike (spearing) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 3 | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 6 combined total | Continuous |
| Crappie | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 10 | Continuous |
| Sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, green, orangespotted, northern, warmouth, and their hybrids) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Rock bass | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 20 | Continuous |
| Bullhead | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 100 | Continuous |
| Perch | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 15 daily and 30 in possession | Continuous |
| Catfish (channel and flathead) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 5 combined total. Not more than 2 can be flathead (only 1 catfish over 24"). | Channel catfish: continuous; Flathead catfish: April 1 – Nov. 30 |
| 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 |
The pike and bass rows shown are the North-central Zone rows, the zone Big Stone Lake falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Big Stone Lake record catches
| Species | Weight | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 2 lb 3 oz | 2026-07-07 | certified weight |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out. All records.
Permitted events held on Big Stone Lake
DNR tournament permits and published results for Big Stone Lake have their own page.
Big Stone Lake next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Lake | 11,984 | 16 | 8 | 4.67 | |
| Eli Lake | 10 miles east | 162 | 5 | 0 | |
| Barry Lake | 10 miles north | 398 | 8.8 | 1 | 0.25 |
| Swenson Lake, Big Stone County | 10 miles east | 204 | 0 | 2.75 | |
| North Rothwell Lake | 11 miles northeast | 297 | 13 | 0 | 6 |
| Lone Tree Slough | 13 miles northeast | 90 | 8.5 | 0 | 4.78 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Big Stone Lake, up close
Lakes worth a look near Big Stone Lake
- Eli Lake10 miles east
- Barry Lake10 miles north
- Swenson Lake, Big Stone County10 miles east
- North Rothwell Lake11 miles northeast
- Lone Tree Slough13 miles northeast
Tackle stops on the way to Big Stone Lake
- Artie's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ortonville, 13 miles
- Ben's Servicebait and tackle shop, Traverse, 15 miles
Overnight bases for Big Stone Lake
- Clinton9 miles
- Barry10 miles
- Beardsley10 miles
Counties surrounding Big Stone Lake
- Big Stone Countyseat: Ortonville
Piscifun reels to pack for Big Stone Lake
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Reader questions on Big Stone Lake
How far is Big Stone Lake from a city?
It lies in Big Stone County, managed from the Ortonville fisheries office, about 9 miles from Clinton.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Big Stone Lake?
11,984 acres, 16 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Big Stone Lake?
There are 8 public accesses; Big Stone Lake, #8 Access is the largest.
Does Big Stone Lake have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish.
How recent is the Big Stone Lake survey?
Most recently on September 23, 2024 (standard survey). walleye ran 4.67 per gill net.
Does Big Stone Lake have special regulations?
Only statewide limits, North-central Zone for pike and bass.
Is a trout stamp needed on Big Stone Lake?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
What is the water clarity of Big Stone Lake?
Median ice-out is April 10; the last recorded ice-out was March 26, 2026.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Big Stone Lake?
Artie's Bait & Tackle is nearest at 13 miles.
Head for Big Stone Lake
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.