LivewellMinnesota · Beltrami County · Lake
Big Bass Lake (west basin)
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Big Bass Lake (west basin), by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
Minnesota also has statewide guidance
Minnesota publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 50 recommendations covering 24 species — in addition to anything listed for Big Bass Lake (west basin) below.
Strictest statewide rule: Muskellunge — For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Big Bass Lake (west basin)
Black Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Brown Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Yellow Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Is it legal to keep?
These rules are specific to Big Bass Lake (west basin). Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Release 14–20" | 6 | Year-round | 05-24 – 02-25 |
| Smallmouth Bass | Release 14–20" | 6 | Year-round | 05-24 – 02-25 |
| Sunfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Pumpkinseed | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Green Sunfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Minnesota — Minnesota DNR
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.5 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.8 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.5 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.5 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.