Big Carnelian

Big Carnelian Lake is a 457-acre, class 24 lake located in northern Washington County. Northern Pike is the primary management species in Big Carnelian Lake while Walleye and Largemouth Bass are secondary management species. A previously instituted 24-36 inch protected slot length for Northern Pike was dropped in 2020 in favor of the new state-wide Northern Pike limits (inland north-central zone regulations). Walleye stocking success has been evaluated several times over the years. Fry stocking was replaced with fingerling stocking in 2007 due to limited success and currently only surplus Walleye fingerlings are stocked due to limited supply and historically low recruitment in the lake. The fish population was surveyed with both gill nets and trap nets in August 2025. Trap nets were utilized to help inform a concurrent index of biotic integrity (IBI) survey which catalogues fish species in near-shore habitats that are not targeted by standard fish sampling. The previous lake survey was conducted in 2015. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 6.5 fish per gill net. This is similar to the previous survey and typical relative to both the lake class and the lakes historical surveys. Fish size was small for the lake class with a mean length of 19.7 inches and a maximum of 32.6 inches although only one fish was sampled over 26 inches.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Big Carnelian Lake, was conducted on July 16, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter and Least Darter) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data was combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov web site. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Lower St. Croix River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Big Carnelian Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Big Carnelian Lake was conducted on June 19-20, 2019 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Least Darter) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2015 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Lower St. Croix River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Big Carnelian. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Big Carnelian has a maximum depth of 66 feet and a mean depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Big Carnelian is from 2025.

Yes — Big Carnelian has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.