41 public waters in the Northwest region — 33 lakes/reservoirs and 8 rivers. Every one is fishable on a Minnesota licence.
See every public fishing venue in Minnesota on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Big Stone Lake straddles the Minnesota–South Dakota border in Big Stone County and encompasses 6,113 acres of Northwest prairie-lake habitat. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie anchor the gamefish roster, while bluegill, bullheads, and common carp provide year-round action. The lake's bigmouth buffalo add a distinctive rough-fish draw for specialty anglers.
Artichoke Lake near the Big Stone County border in Minnesota's Northwest region is a catfish and carp angler's destination, with channel catfish, black and brown bullhead, and abundant largemouth bass sharing its 1,957 acres alongside black crappie and bluegill. Bigmouth buffalo and black crappie add further appeal for bottom-fishing specialists. Common carp are present and run large in Minnesota's fertile water — an under-fished bonus target.
Thielke Lake, a 614-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Bentsen Lake, a 543-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, Otrey Lake is a 472-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, East Toqua Lake is a 429-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Barry Lake, a 393-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — North Rothwell Lake is a 293-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — West Toqua Lake is a 283-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Lysing Lake, a 246-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Swenson Lake, a 201-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, Larson Slough is a 201-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Lannon Lake (194 acres) sits in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — Eli Lake is a 160-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, Long Tom Lake is a 148-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, South Rothwell Lake is a 139-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Campbell Slough, a 111-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Olson Lake, a 98-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, Peterson Lake is a 89-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — Lone Tree Slough is a 88-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Twin Lake (77 acres) sits in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Leo Lake, a 76-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — Lake Leo is a 75-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — Bassett Slough is a 74-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Cup Lake (72 acres) sits in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — Smithwick's Slough is a 70-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, Walter Lake is a 61-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Big Stone County, Minnesota, Fogarty Lake is a 58-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Munnwyler Lake (33 acres) sits in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Horseshoe Lake (33 acres) sits in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Big Stone County, Minnesota — Lindgren Lake is a 33-acre lake, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
North Haukos Lake, a 21-acre lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters): A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
Smithwicks Lake (18 acres) sits in Big Stone County, Minnesota, managed by Minnesota DNR (public waters). A classic Minnesota Walleye lake — Walleye and Northern Pike over the primary structure, with Perch, Crappie and Bluegill in the bays and largemouth in the weeds.
In Nicollet, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and 13 more counties in Minnesota, Minnesota River is a 568 km river or creek. A major border river — the full Minnesota species list including Walleye, Sauger, smallmouth, Muskie, flathead and Channel Catfish, White Bass and Lake Sturgeon.
In Traverse and Big Stone Counties, Minnesota, Twelvemile Creek, West Branch is a 24 km river or creek. A warmwater Minnesota river — Walleye and Sauger below the dams and riffles, smallmouth in the current, plus channel and Flathead Catfish and a run of White Bass.
Little Minnesota River runs 8 km through Roberts, Big Stone and Traverse Counties, Minnesota: A major border river — the full Minnesota species list including Walleye, Sauger, smallmouth, Muskie, flathead and Channel Catfish, White Bass and Lake Sturgeon.
In Big Stone and Swift Counties, Minnesota, County Ditch 2 is a 22 km river or creek. A warmwater Minnesota river — Walleye and Sauger below the dams and riffles, smallmouth in the current, plus channel and Flathead Catfish and a run of White Bass.
In Grant and Big Stone Counties, Minnesota, Whetstone River is a river or creek. A warmwater Minnesota river — Walleye and Sauger below the dams and riffles, smallmouth in the current, plus channel and Flathead Catfish and a run of White Bass.
In Big Stone and Traverse Counties, Minnesota, Judicial Ditch 4 is a 11 km river or creek. A warmwater Minnesota river — Walleye and Sauger below the dams and riffles, smallmouth in the current, plus channel and Flathead Catfish and a run of White Bass.
Twelvemile Creek, West Fork (10 km) flows through Traverse and Big Stone Counties, Minnesota. A warmwater Minnesota river — Walleye and Sauger below the dams and riffles, smallmouth in the current, plus channel and Flathead Catfish and a run of White Bass.
Five Mile Creek runs 6 km through Big Stone and Swift Counties, Minnesota: A warmwater Minnesota river — Walleye and Sauger below the dams and riffles, smallmouth in the current, plus channel and Flathead Catfish and a run of White Bass.
Across its mapped waters, Big Stone County holds 26 species on PiscaMaps, including Northern Pike, Walleye, Common Carp, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and White Sucker.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Minnesota map Join PiscaMapsOne Minnesota fishing licence covers every public water in the state. Resident annual is about $34, non-resident about $50, with 3-day and 10-day non-resident permits available. MN DNR agency lakes and the Beech River lakes need an extra lake permit. Buy at gooutdoorsminnesota.com.