Surrounding a body of water that shares its name, Big Lake is a Cloquet neighborhood where getting outdoors is synonymous with everyday life. The lake encompasses over 500 acres, winding through the forested landscape just north of Highway 210. Big Lake lies on land overseen by the Fond du Lac branch of the Chippewa Tribe, and contrary to what one might think, there are no barriers or special requirements for prospective home buyers. “I’ve worked on three reservations,” says Realtor Joseph Tome of Grand Properties Real Estate. “People have a misconception over here. Ownership of land is ownership of land.” Unsurprisingly, the lake draws home buyers who want it as part of their day-to-day lifestyle. “For Big Lake, just like any lake property, home buyers want to make sure there’s decent access to the lake and that they have a good view from the house itself,” says Tome. Homes in this neighborhood follow the natural curvature of the lake, situated on narrow lots and featuring the occasional dock. Downtown Cloquet lies ten miles east, accessible via two routes.
Big Lake is a 526 acre lake located in beautiful Carlton County, Minnesota.
The community can attend the Mens drumming performance at the Fond Du Lac Cultural Building.
Fishing is a popular pastime on Big Lake.
The Fond du Lac Cultural Center and Museum is open to the public.
Big Lake is home to muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and more.
The Anishinaabewigamig Cultural Language Learning Center offers community classes and events.
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Simple bungalows provide excellent waterfront views
Small residential lots cling to the lake’s edge, rarely appearing close to the mainland. Buyers covet the lakefront homes in this neighborhood, and inventory is low. “This area doesn’t have a lot of properties that come up for sale often,” says Tome. Bungalows are the typical style, often coming in at just one story and two to three bedrooms. When these homes do list, they sell between $170,000 and $320,000. Many come equipped with a separate or attached garage or shed, which protects items during the harsh winter months. “We do have some winter storms, but it doesn’t affect too much,” says Tome. “The weather can get down to 20 below, but after a certain point, we are used to it.”
Some homes in Big Lake are located in the woods just off the lake.
Big Lake features 8 miles of shoreline.
Homes on Big Lake offer picturesque views of the lake.
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Big Lake earns its name, and then some
Big Lake forms a near-“S” shape in the center of this neighborhood. Locals and visitors can try just about anything here, be it swimming or rafting. “People go ice fishing, too,” says Tome. “The big draw there is going to be that lake. There’s always something you can do year-round, like recreational trails for hiking, snowmobiling…just a lot of reasons to be there.” On the neighborhood’s north end, Kiwenz Park doubles as a campground. Kids can fish on the dock or play by the water in the open green space. “They have big group parties there where everybody grills their own steak,” says Realtor Lisa Westendorf of Edina Realty. “They have an area on the other side where they do powwows occasionally,” says Westendorf of the Sawyer Tribal Community Center. “Anybody can go.” The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa runs the community center, hosting an eclectic mix of Tribe-specific events as well as community outreach. The latter takes the form of youth firearm safety training, fishing information seminars and Powwows. Those looking to spend the weekend practicing their swing head to the Big Lake Golf Resort. Contrary to its name, the golf course is actually relatively small, described by staff as the “biggest, littlest, toughest and friendliest golf course around.” Folks can pop in for a day of 18-hole golf or sign up for a membership.
The Sawyer (Gwaaba'iganing) Tribal Community Center is located at the south end of Big Lake.
The boat launch on Big Lake is located in the Northwest corner of the lake.
A fishing pier is located adjacent to the Big Lake boat launch.
Enjoy a day on the water at Big Lake.
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Hwy 210 connects Big Lake to Carlton and Interstate 35.
A lack of public transportation in Big Lake
Navigating the community is relatively straightforward for drivers. Simply put, Cloquet’s public transportation does not extend to Big Lake. The neighborhood is almost three miles from end to end, so walking to see one’s neighbors isn’t as viable as driving a car.
Attending class in Cloquet Public Schools
Students in Big Lake attend class within Cloquet Public Schools, starting at Washington Elementary, rated B overall by Niche. They then move to Cloquet Middle and Cloquet Senior High, both of which get B-plus grades. Winter doesn’t deter the athletes at Cloquet Senior High, who can participate in hockey, Nordic skiing and alpine skiing when the weather drops.
Sitting down for a meal at Big Lake Golf Resort
The restaurant and grocery scene in Big Lake is minimal because it is several miles from Downtown Cloquet. For a sit-down dinner, the best bet is The Big Lake Golf Resort’s attached restaurant. The restaurant serves bistro-style fare like burgers, tacos and sandwiches. Instead of the usual grocery run, folks can stop by the Silver Feather Homestead, a privately owned and operated business selling fresh meat, eggs and preserves on the northeast side of the neighborhood. Sawyer’s Store on the north side has convenience items. For everything else, folks will need to travel ten miles east into Downtown Cloquet, where Super One Foods and Walmart Supercenter reside.
Locals can grab a bite to eat or a drink at the Big Lake Golf Resort.
Gordy's Hi-Hat has served the Cloquet area and lakegoers since the 1960's.
Walmart is located in Cloquet for all your household essentials.
Gordy's Hi-Hat is the go-to destination for burgers, fries and malts.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joseph Tome,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pine Valley Recreation Area
Transit
Airport
Duluth International
54 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Big Lake
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Big Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Big Lake, Cloquet sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Big Lake, Cloquet over the last 12 months is $322,500, up 48% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$322,500
Median Sale Price
$322,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$322,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
2
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
48%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$420
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
54
Median Year Built
1978
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,571
Below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
30,056
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joseph Tome,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
631
Median Age
42
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$51,538
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$70,883
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.3%
College Graduates
16.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
2°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
93''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
13/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
