Blackface
A 192-acre lake near Ball Bluff in Aitkin County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1986.
Fish Species (8)
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 9.7 per gill net · typical 4.6–11.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 9.67 | - | 2.42 lbs |
| Sep 2, 1986 | 0.75 | - | 2.50 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 11.0 per gill net · typical 8–40.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 5.00 | - | 0.15 lbs |
| Sep 2, 1986 | 11.00 | - | 0.40 lbs |
Bluegill
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.38 per trap net · typical 2.5–25 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 0.38 | - | 0.83 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–0.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 0.25 | - | 1.25 lbs |
| Sep 2, 1986 | 0.33 | - | 1.75 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.4 per trap net · typical 1.4–8.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 6.67 | - | 0.12 lbs |
| Sep 2, 1986 | 2.38 | - | 0.13 lbs |
Other species in this lake (3)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Brown Bullhead
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 15.8 per trap net · typical 1.5–9.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 26.33 | - | 0.34 lbs |
| Sep 2, 1986 | 15.75 | - | 0.44 lbs |
Black Bullhead
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 9.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–17.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 55.00 | - | 0.23 lbs |
| Sep 2, 1986 | 9.00 | - | 0.23 lbs |
Golden Shiner
Average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986
Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.12 per trap net · typical 0.2–0.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 1986 | 0.12 | - | 0.10 lbs |
Biologist Notes
September 2, 1986Northern pike and brown bullhead indices are above the third regional quartile. The catch indices for black bullhead, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass and…
Northern pike and brown bullhead indices are above the third regional quartile. The catch indices for black bullhead, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass and yellow perch are between the first and third regional quartiles. The index of abundance for blue- gill is below the first regional quartile. The indices of abundance for black bullhead, brown bull- head and yellow perch are above the third area quartile. Catch indices for northern pike, pumpkinseed and largemouth bass are between the first and third area quartiles. The trap net index for bluegill is below the first area quartile. North- ern pike ranged from one to eight plus years of age. Age two and age three fish dominated the sample with twenty five percent each; age one, age four and age six each made up thirteen percent of the sample. Growth the first, second and third increments were normal. Growth the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh increments progressed from forty five percent to sixty nine percent slower than normal. Pumpkinseed were all three years old. Growth rates for all three increments were normal. Bluegill were from four to eight years old. Growth for the first increment was eighty percent faster than normal and the second increment was sixty percent faster than normal. The third increment had a normal growth rate. The fourth and fifth increments were thirty three and twenty three percent slower than normal respectively. Largemouth bass were two and three years old. Growth for the first increment was twenty percent faster than normal, the second increments growth was thirty four percent faster than normal and the third increment had normal growth. Yellow perch ranged from three to seven years old with no dominate year class seen in the sample. Growth rates for all increments were within the range that is considered normal for yellow perch in Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Blackface?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed in Blackface. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Blackface?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Blackface. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Blackface?
Blackface has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Blackface last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Blackface is from 1986. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Blackface have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Blackface in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
More lakes in Aitkin County
View all94 acres
Walleye · Hybrid Sunfish · Northern Pike
82 acres
Yellow Perch · Black Crappie · Bluegill
6,125 acres
Channel Catfish · Muskellunge · Bluegill
737 acres
Smallmouth Bass · Hybrid Sunfish · Rock Bass
520 acres
Northern Pike · Walleye · Rock Bass
16 acres
Yellow Perch · Northern Pike · Black Crappie
Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 191.8 acres
- Max Depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.5 mi
- Public Access
- Yes