Big Ole

Big Ole Lake is a 179-acre lake in central Itasca County within the Big Fork River watershed. Big Ole is located approximately 4 miles southeast of Marcell, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 65 ft and 84 littoral acres. A forest service carry-down access is located on the northeast shoreline. Northern pike gill-net catch was 12.3/net, which was higher than the expected range for similar lakes. Gill-net abundance in past assessments has also generally been high and varied from 8.5 to 10.8/gill net. Size structure was moderate with a with fish up to 34 inches sampled. Growth was slower than statewide averages with fish reaching 24 inches at age eight. Slow growth is likely the result of high abundance and low prey (yellow perch) abundance. Bluegill trap-net catch was 55.7/net, which is within the expected range for similar lakes. Abundance in past assessments varied from 87.0 to 88.5/trap net. Size structure was moderate with good numbers of fish around six inches, but very few fish at eight inches. Growth was similar to lake class averages, and fish up to age 12 were sampled. Black crappie gill-net catch was 2.7/net, which is within the expected range. The trap-net catch was 1.1/net, which was also within the interquartile range of 0.8 to 4.0/net. Size structure was good with fish up to 13 inches sampled. Growth was slower than the statewide averages for ages one to four and similar to statewide averages after age four. Walleye gill-net catch was 0.5/net, which is the same as the first quartile. Abundance in past assessments has also been low and varied from 0.5 to 2.8/gill net. Although only three walleye were sampled in this assessment, they ranged in length from 18 to 27 inches. Yellow perch gill-net catch was 2.2/gill net and was within the interquartile range of 1.0 to 10.3. Size structure was poor with few fish reaching nine inches. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass were sampled in the gill nets; however, gill nets and trap nets do not sample largemouth bass or smallmouth bass effectively. Sample size was too low to make conclusions about size structure. Other species sampled include pumpkinseed sunfish, and warmouth. Lakeshore owners may affect fish populations not only through harvesting fish, but also through land use practices. It is important to leave a 30 to 50 ft buffer strip of native vegetation along the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Nonfunctioning septic systems can also lead to water quality problems. Good water quality and fish populations are the direct result of good land use practices. Anglers can also help to improve the size structure of the fish community by practicing selective harvest.

Northern pike, perch and bluegill abundance is considerably above state and local medians. The abundance of other fishes appears to be within normal limits for this type of lake. Natural reproduction seems adequate to maintain the fish population.

Lake appears to have a high population of small bluegills and northern pike. The crappies although not too abundant, are quite large.In 1960, a lake investigation was done. Fish species found were largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, walleye and white sucker.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass in Big Ole. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Big Ole. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Big Ole has a maximum depth of 65 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Big Ole is from 2001. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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