Big Bass (east basin)

In spring 2021, a daily bag limit reduction for sunfish (5 fish/day) was implemented on Big Bass Lake as part of the statewide Quality Sunfish Initiative (QSI). The goal of this special regulation is to maintain or improve Bluegill size structure by reducing angler harvest. In order to evaluate effectiveness of the regulation, Bluegill populations on many QSI lakes are periodically assessed. Primary data of interest include size structure metrics as well as age structure and growth information. Because age and growth data were recorded recently for Big Bass in 2020, these data were not collected in 2024. On May 20, 2024, night electrofishing was conducted on Big Bass Lake. Surface water temperatures were in the low sixties, and Bluegill was the only species collected. Areas sampled are shown in Figure 1. During 53 minutes of shocking, 258 Bluegill were captured, resulting in a catch rate of 291.9 fish/hour. Lengths ranged from 2.4 to 7.2 inches with an average size of 4.7 inches. No fish were larger than eight inches. In 2020, average length was better at 5.7 inches and fish larger than eight inches were present.

Big Bass Lake is a 337-acre lake, located 6 miles northeast of Bemidji in southern Beltrami County. A targeted survey was completed on Big Bass Lake by Bemidji Area Fisheries staff during July of 2022 to assess the nearshore fish community and overall health of the lake. In this survey, 10 nearshore sites (100-foot) were evenly spaced along the lakeshore to sample a variety of aquatic habitat types and collect a representative sample of the nearshore fish community. Depending on the habitat conditions at each site, backpack electrofishing and shoreline seining were attempted where possible. A total of 9 sites were sampled with a seine, while backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. A total of 9 species were sampled, with no species were captured that are intolerant to disturbance or poor water quality. Nearshore fish community data was analyzed with information collected from the standard survey in 2022 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score to measure the biological condition and overall health of Big Bass Lake. In Minnesota, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and healthy habitat (e.g. Blacknose Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Tullibee (cisco), and Mottled Sculpin), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The combination of fish species present may identify stressors negatively affecting the lake environment. The FIBI score is composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics to indicate the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on FIBI search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website (www.mndnr.gov). Results of this survey indicate Big Bass is in great health with a FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. In coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River (Headwaters) Watershed assessment.

Big Bass Lake is a 337-acre lake with a maximum depth of 17 feet located 6 miles northeast of Bemidji in Beltrami County. A DNR public water access with concrete ramp and parking for 8 vehicles is located on the south shore of the lake off Tall Pines Road. Special fishing regulations are in effect for sunfish (5 fish daily bag limit) and Largemouth Bass (14 to 20-inch protected slot limit). Statewide regulations apply to all other species. Largemouth Bass and sunfish (including Bluegill) are the primary management species on Big Bass Lake. Bass anglers can expect steady action for Largemouth Bass in the 12 to 16-inch size range. The lake contains abundant submerged aquatic vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. The 2022 survey documented a healthy Bluegill population with net catches near historic high levels. A good proportion (33%) of the Bluegill catch exceeded 7 inches in length with some fish approaching 9 inches. Bluegill hybridize with Pumpkinseed and Green Sunfish in Big Bass Lake resulting in some beautifully colored fish that often grow to larger sizes than their parent species. Black Crappie numbers in Big Bass Lake have increased since the previous survey in 2017. Most of the catch in this survey was comprised of smaller fish, indicating that the population is sustaining itself and has seen consistent reproduction in recent years. Black crappie over 11 inches in length were captured in this survey. While Big Bass Lake is still a good bet for Northern Pike fishing, the quality of the population has declined over the past several surveys with a large increase in numbers (often a bad sign for pike populations), smaller average sizes and fewer large pike captured. Pike captured in this survey had an average length of over 20 inches, with the largest measuring over 36 inches in length. Big Bass Lake is also managed for Walleye and is stocked with fingerlings every other year. Gill net catch rates for Walleye have been near the low end of the typical range for similar lakes over the past three surveys. Walleye over 22 inches in length were captured in this survey with a respectable average size of just over 19 inches. Other fish species captured in the 2022 survey included White Sucker, Yellow Perch, and Brown Bullhead.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye, Green Sunfish, and Northern Pike in Big Bass (east basin). See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Big Bass (east basin). Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Big Bass (east basin) has a maximum depth of 17 feet and a mean depth of 9.2 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Big Bass (east basin) is from 2022.

No invasive species are on record for Big Bass (east basin) in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.