Big Lake (Iowa)
Perciformes - Perches
Esociformes - Pikes
Siluriformes - Catfishes
Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes
Cypriniformes - Carps
Acipenseriformes - Sturgeons and Paddlefish
Anabantiformes - Gouramies and snakeheads
Lepisosteiformes - Gars
Amiiformes - Bowfins
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Moroniformes - Temperate basses
Percopsiformes - Trout-perches
Gasterosteiformes - Sticklebacks
Hiodontiformes - Mooneyes
Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Petromyzontiformes - Lampreys
Perciformes - Perches
Esociformes - Pikes
Siluriformes - Catfishes
Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes
Cypriniformes - Carps
Acipenseriformes - Sturgeons and Paddlefish
Anabantiformes - Gouramies and snakeheads
Lepisosteiformes - Gars
Amiiformes - Bowfins
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Moroniformes - Temperate basses
Percopsiformes - Trout-perches
Gasterosteiformes - Sticklebacks
Hiodontiformes - Mooneyes
Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Petromyzontiformes - Lampreys
Big Lake is an open body of water surrounded by marshy islands in Navigation Pool 9 of the Upper Mississippi River. It lies where the Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin borders come together, just north of Lansing, Iowa. It is part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
The Army Corps of Engineers maintains the lake’s integrity as a fish habitat.
The lake is connected to Gilbert’s Pond through a shallow creek that is bridged by Big Lake Road. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout twice a year, in October and February. There is a fishing dock on the lake, and in the surrounding park, there is a playground, walking trails, and a picnic shelter. In addition the park contains one of 5 Iowan Art-in-the-Park sculptures. The park also serves as a trailhead for the Iowa Riverfront Trail.
