Ball Bluff
A 169-acre lake near Jacobson in Aitkin County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 2024.
Fish Species (16)
Black Crappie
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1977
Last surveyed 1977 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.7 for a lake like this
Size from the Jul 2024 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.88 | 9.3" | 0.46 lbs |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 0.44 | 8.0" | 0.34 lbs |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 1.67 | 9.1" | 0.55 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jun 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 19.0 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Jul 2024 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 2.50 | 9.9" | 0.74 lbs |
| Jun 21, 2021 | 3.46 | - | - |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 4.27 | - | - |
Walleye
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.83 per gill net · typical 1–5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2011 | 0.33 | 21.9" | 3.74 lbs |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 2.24 | 21.9" | 3.30 lbs |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 0.83 | 21.9" | 4.70 lbs |
Rock Bass
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.8–3.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.25 | 7.5" | 0.40 lbs |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 1.00 | 7.5" | - |
| Jun 21, 2021 | 1.38 | - | - |
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 4.5 per gill net · typical 2.2–8.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2011 | 4.50 | 21.3" | 2.49 lbs |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 0.11 | 21.3" | 1.14 lbs |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 0.67 | 18.4" | 0.93 lbs |
Bluegill
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 12.5 per trap net · typical 7.7–43.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 5.60 | 5.2" | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 44.50 | 5.2" | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 17.22 | 5.2" | - |
Hybrid Sunfish
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 0.62 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.62 | 5.6" | 0.21 lbs |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 1.00 | - | - |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 2.89 | 5.6" | 0.21 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 1.4–5.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 7.00 | 4.9" | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.78 | 4.9" | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 1.38 | 4.9" | 0.14 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 1.5–13.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.12 | 5.0" | 0.06 lbs |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.78 | 5.0" | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.20 | 5.0" | - |
Other species in this lake (7)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Brown Bullhead
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 0.12 per trap net · typical 0.3–1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.12 | 12.0" | 1.05 lbs |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 0.22 | 12.0" | 0.93 lbs |
| Jul 6, 1993 | 0.11 | 9.0" | 0.64 lbs |
White Sucker
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2001
Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2011 | 0.33 | 12.0" | 0.87 lbs |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 0.11 | 16.5" | 1.53 lbs |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 0.17 | 16.5" | 2.65 lbs |
Yellow Bullhead
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 1–5.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.25 | 10.5" | 0.65 lbs |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 1.50 | 10.0" | 0.70 lbs |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 1.33 | 10.0" | 0.60 lbs |
Iowa Darter
Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 0.5 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.78 | - | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.50 | - | - |
| Jun 21, 2021 | 9.69 | - | - |
Bluntnose Minnow
Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 26.5 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.20 | - | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 20.35 | - | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 26.50 | - | - |
Fathead Minnow
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 0.78 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 1.00 | - | - |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 0.78 | - | - |
| Jun 21, 2021 | 0.20 | - | - |
Johnny Darter
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2024
Catch rate: 1.6 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | 1.57 | - | - |
| Jun 21, 2021 | 2.77 | - | - |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 1.00 | - | - |
Biologist Notes
July 31, 2025A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on 7/31/2025 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TDO3 (t…
A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on 7/31/2025 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was determined to be 11.0 degrees C, which is considered good for Tullibee survival. While water from the surface to about 13 feet was warm, overall oxy-thermal habitat was adequate for Tullibee from 13 feet deep to approximately 27 feet deep. Comparing profiles collected from 2009-2025 (excluding 2020), the least amount of available Tullibee habitat occurred in 2012, while all other years had better conditions. The lake provides "good" habitat compared to other lakes in the Aitkin management area monitored for Tullibee habitat. Because the management area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of cold-water habitat.
August 5, 2024A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 5, 2024 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TD…
A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 5, 2024 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was determined to be 10.0 degrees C, which is considered good for Tullibee survival. While water from the surface to about 18 feet was fairly warm, overall oxy-thermal habitat was adequate for Tullibee from 18 feet deep to about 33 feet deep. Comparing profiles collected from 2009-2024 (*excluding 2020), the least amount of available Tullibee habitat occurred in 2012, while all other years had better conditions. The lake provides "good" habitat compared to other lakes in Aitkin area monitored for Tullibee habitat. Because the area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of coldwater habitat.
August 5, 2024A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 5, 2024 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TD…
A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 5, 2024 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was determined to be 10.0 degrees C, which is considered good for Tullibee survival. While water from the surface to about 18 feet was fairly warm, overall oxy-thermal habitat was adequate for Tullibee from 18 feet deep to about 33 feet deep. Comparing profiles collected from 2009-2024 (*excluding 2020), the least amount of available Tullibee habitat occurred in 2012, while all other years had better conditions. The lake provides "good" habitat compared to other lakes in Aitkin area monitored for Tullibee habitat. Because the area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of coldwater habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Ball Bluff?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Rock Bass, and Northern Pike in Ball Bluff. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Ball Bluff?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Ball Bluff. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Ball Bluff?
Ball Bluff has a maximum depth of 78 feet and a mean depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Ball Bluff last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ball Bluff is from 2024.
Does Ball Bluff have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Ball Bluff in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 168.64 acres
- Max Depth
- 78 ft
- Mean Depth
- 25 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.71 mi
- Public Access
- Yes