Big Fork River Fishing
Itasca County and Koochiching County, Big Fork River State Water Trail.
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The Big Fork River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Big Fork River, a river of Itasca County and Koochiching County. The DNR route line covers close to 213 miles. For minnows and gas, Effie is about 6 miles away. It carries the Big Fork River State Water Trail designation.
Muskellunge are managed in it, per the DNR layer. USGS runs 1 active gauge on it. The access list holds 20 public accesses.
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| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Big Fork River At Big Falls, Mn | 1,500 cfs, 5.09 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reaching the Big Fork River by boat
- Bowstring River, #3 Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Itasca County, river mile 198.3
- Bowstring River, #2 Access1 ramp, Itasca County, river mile 176.5
- Bowstring River, #1 Access1 ramp, 1 dock, Itasca County, river mile 175
- Big Fork River, Harrison Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, toilet, Itasca County, river mile 158.3
- Big Fork River, Hwy 14 Access1 ramp, Itasca County, river mile 147.4
- Big Fork River, Big Fork Access1 ramp, toilet, Itasca County, river mile 137.9
- Big Fork River, State Hwy 1 Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Itasca County, river mile 123.9
- Big Fork River, Co Rd 5 Access1 ramp, toilet, Koochiching County, river mile 105.4
- Big Fork River, State Hwy 6 Bridge Accesscarry-in access, Koochiching County, river mile 91.5
- Big Fork River, Bill Counter Landing Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 75.8
- Big Fork River, Johnson Accesscarry-in access, 3 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 67.5
- Grunwald Access Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 61
- Big Fork River, Big Falls (E) Access1 ramp, Koochiching County, river mile 53
- Big Fork River, Cody Landing Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 52.7
- Big Fork River, Sturgeon Accesscarry-in access, Koochiching County, river mile 47.5
- Big Fork River, Ben Linn Accesscarry-in access, 10 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 43
- Big Fork River, Gowdy Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 34.5
- Big Fork River, Kueffners Access1 ramp, toilet, Koochiching County, river mile 30.5
- Big Fork River, Ivan Crawford Access1 ramp, Koochiching County, river mile 9.1
- Big Fork River, Reedy Flats Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 0.4
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Booklet rules for the Big Fork River
Every limit on the Big Fork River is in the table below.
| 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 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Beyond the shore of Big Fork River
More Minnesota lakes near Big Fork River
- Round Lake near Effie, Itasca County7 miles
- Busties Lake8 miles
- Connors Lake10 miles
- Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County13 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Big Fork River
- Peg McMahons Baitbait and tackle shop, Bigfork, 21 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Big Fork River
- Effie6 miles
- Bigfork12 miles
- Big Falls19 miles
- Mizpah27 miles
Streams neighboring the Big Fork River
- Little Fork River17 miles
- Valley River19 miles
- Dinner Creek23 miles
- Stony Brook28 miles
Counties that Big Fork River reaches
Four Piscifun picks for the Big Fork River
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Fish to look for at Big Fork River
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Reader questions on the Big Fork River
How do I drive to the Big Fork River?
Through Itasca County and Koochiching County.
May I keep trout from the Big Fork River?
No; it carries no trout designation.
Where can I check discharge on the Big Fork River?
There are 1 USGS gauge, listed above.
Which accesses reach the Big Fork River?
The DNR layer lists 20 public accesses; Big Fork River, Ivan Crawford Access is one.
Are there special DNR rules on the Big Fork River?
Only statewide limits.
Is a stamp needed on the Big Fork River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who sells leeches near the Big Fork River?
Peg McMahons Bait, about 21 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Big Fork River?
Effie, some 6 miles off by air.
Which species does the Big Fork River hold?
Species are not on file for it.
Work the Big Fork River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.