Big Trout Lake
Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Manhattan Beach. DNR lake ID 18031500.
Big Trout Lake is a 1,366-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Manhattan Beach. Its deepest point reaches 128 ft, and about 27% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 15.7 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the oligotrophic nutrient class. It is part of the Whitefish Chain. The DNR lists it for zebra mussel. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 18031500 |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County, near Manhattan Beach |
| Surface area | 1,366 acres |
| Maximum depth | 128 ft |
| Mean depth | 52.0 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 27% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 15.7 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 9.8 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 2.8 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Oligotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Clearer (2016 to 2025) |
| Boating chain | Whitefish Chain |
| Invasive species | zebra mussel |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 15.7 ft, phosphorus 9.8 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 2.8 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Big Trout Lake rates as oligotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: clearer.
Fishing on Big Trout Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2018 (8 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 1.75 | 4.0 to 9.6 |
| Northern pike | gill | 7.0 | 3.0 to 7.9 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.83 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 1.67 | 7.1 to 33.9 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.42 | 0.7 to 3.7 |
| Black crappie | gill | 0.67 | 0.2 to 1.1 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.5 | 0.3 to 1.7 |
| Bluegill | gill | 0.5 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 16.83 | 3.7 to 42.9 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 0.92 | 0.3 to 1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 1.08 | 0.4 to 1.4 |
| Smallmouth bass | gill | 0.83 | 0.2 to 0.9 |
| Smallmouth bass | trap | 0.58 | 0.1 to 0.6 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 5.17 | 0.5 to 5.2 |
| Lake whitefish | gill | 2.08 | 0.1 to 0.9 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 0.42 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 2.58 | 1.6 to 6.9 |
| Rock bass | gill | 2.5 | 1.0 to 6.6 |
| Rock bass | trap | 3.67 | 0.7 to 3.3 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.33 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 5.17 | n/a |
Walleye catch was below the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Northern pike 31.0 in (2018), Walleye 25.0 in (2018), Largemouth bass 15.0 in (2018), Smallmouth bass 19.0 in (2018).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Green sunfish, Tullibee (cisco), Lake whitefish, Lake trout, Bowfin, Shorthead redhorse, Greater redhorse, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead.
Fishing regulations
- Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5. (DNR Quality Sunfish Initiative)
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
On the Minnesota DNR infested waters list for: zebra mussel (listed 2014).
Public boat access
- Big Trout: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 9 trailer spaces. 4.0 miles north of Crosslake, MN on Co. Rd 66. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Whitefish Chain
Fourteen lakes that became one connected system when the Pine River dam raised the water about ten feet. Roughly 14,000 acres of boatable water around Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Jenkins, and Pine River. The DNR records Rush and Hen as one lake.
Whitefish Lake, Cross Lake, Rush Lake, Lower Hay Lake, Little Pine Lake, Bertha Lake, Arrowhead Lake, Daggett Lake, Clamshell Lake, Pig Lake, Island Lake, Loon Lake
Around the lake
On-water fuel: Whitefish Chain fuel docks, boat to MarineMax Crosslake, Bait Box Marina, or The Wharf on Cross Lake, or Bertha Boat Works on Bertha Lake. Confirm hours before heading out.
Nearby lakes
- Island Lake 1.2 mi, Crow Wing County
- Loon Lake 1.5 mi, Crow Wing County
- Rush Lake 1.7 mi, Crow Wing County
- Meyer Lake 1.9 mi, Crow Wing County
- Ox Lake 2.0 mi, Crow Wing County
- Little Ox Lake 2.0 mi, Crow Wing County
- Arrowhead Lake 2.8 mi, Crow Wing County
- Pig Lake 3.0 mi, Crow Wing County
Questions about Big Trout Lake
How deep is Big Trout Lake?
Big Trout Lake reaches a maximum depth of 128 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 27% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Big Trout Lake?
Big Trout Lake covers about 1,366 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
How clear is Big Trout Lake?
Summer water clarity on Big Trout Lake averages 15.7 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is oligotrophic.
Does Big Trout Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
The Minnesota DNR infested waters list includes Big Trout Lake for zebra mussel.
What fish are in Big Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass in Big Trout Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2018.
Where is the public boat access on Big Trout Lake?
Big Trout Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Big Trout.
How is the walleye population on Big Trout Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1990 to 2018, walleye numbers on Big Trout Lake ran mostly below the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Big Trout Lake?
Homes on Big Trout Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Big Trout Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Big Trout Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 27% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 15.7 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Big Trout Lake?
Yes. Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5.
Ask us about Big Trout Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Crow Wing County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2018), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.