The Big Fish
The Big Fish is a roadside attraction located three miles west of Bena, Minnesota in the unorganized territory of North Cass.
An attraction, 20 mi south of Squaw Lake
Winters are cold
January nights drop to -3°. When to go ↓
Plan where you’ll sleep
The nearest town with many places to stay is Sand Lake Township, 24 miles northeast. Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
May, June, July, August and September are the mild months, with highs of 65–78°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Typical highs and lows in Squaw Lake. Green months are the mild ones.
The Big Fish
The Big Fish is a roadside attraction located three miles west of Bena, Minnesota in the unorganized territory of North Cass. The 65-foot-long wooden structure takes the form of a muskie fish. The Big Fish was built as a drive-in restaurant in 1958, though it only operated as a restaurant for a few years. The Big Fish Supper Club, located next to the fish-shaped building, was opened in 1972. The Big Fish and the Big Fish Supper Club are located near the south shore of Lake Winnibigoshish, known locally as Lake Winnie.
Midwestern United States cultural historian Eric Dregni described The Big Fish as "uniquely Minnesota" and named it one the state's seven wonders, along with sites such as the Kensington Runestone and the Darwin twine ball. It is a popular spot for photographs for tourists to the area.
- Type
- Attraction
- Wikipedia readers
- 1.8K a year
Where to stay near The Big Fish
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are Sand Lake Township (11) and Squaw Lake (4).
Sand Lake Township
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
187 people · 54% vacation homes
24 mi northeast of The Big Fish
Compare 5 towns
| Town | From The Big Fish | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Lake Township 54% vacation homes | 24 mi northeast | 35 min | 11 2 hotels · 9 lodges & cabins | 187 | $325K |
| Squaw Lake | 20 mi north | 30 min | 4 2 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins | 102 | $181K |
| Deer River Township | 24 mi east | 35 min | 1 1 lodge or cabins | 653 | $219K |
| Kinghurst Township 32% vacation homes | 26 mi north | 40 min | 1 1 lodge or cabins | 118 | $239K |
| Lake Jessie Township 52% vacation homes | 29 mi northeast | 45 min | 1 1 lodge or cabins | 252 | $226K |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near The Big Fish
Other well-known places within 70 miles.
45 mi LakeLake Itasca
45 mi State parkItasca State Park70 mi Theme parkPaul Bunyan Land
62 mi MuseumGreyhound Bus Museum
65 mi MuseumMinnesota Discovery Center
34 mi MuseumForest History Center69 mi GardenNorthland ArboretumPhoto credits
Lake Itasca: Tastocke, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Itasca State Park: Mark Evans from Orange City, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Greyhound Bus Museum: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Minnesota Discovery Center: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Forest History Center: Laupeck, CC BY-SA 3.0
Visiting The Big Fish
What town is The Big Fish near?
Squaw Lake, MN, about 20 miles north.
When is the best time to visit The Big Fish?
May, June, July, August and September, with highs of 65–78°.
What is the closest airport to The Big Fish?
Brainerd Lakes Regional (BRD), about 66 miles away. The nearest big hub is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP), about 178 miles.
Where should I stay near The Big Fish?
Sand Lake Township (24 mi, 11 places to stay) and Squaw Lake (20 mi, 4 places to stay).
Tips from people in Squaw Lake
No tips yet. Ask, or answer, in Squaw Lake’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.