Little Ball Bluff

Aitkin County

Near Jacobson

DOW: 01005700

Black CrappieGood · 52Rock BassGood · 50Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 37-acre lake near Jacobson in Aitkin County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 2013.

Fish Species (14)

Black Crappie

Good · 52

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.9"

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 4.4 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie5% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 95%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	4.44	6.9"	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 26, 2013	1.00	6.9"	0.27 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 12, 2006	1.75	7.6"	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.2"

Avg Weight

0.34 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass20% keeper-size (8"+)

4–7" · 80%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	0.56	7.2"	0.34 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	0.33	5.8"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 12, 2006	1.38	5.8"	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

10.1"

Avg Weight

1.23 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass45% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 55%Largest sampled 14"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 2006	1.38	10.1"	0.63 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	0.67	10.1"	1.23 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1996	0.11	12.0"	1.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.9"

Avg Weight

1.96 lbs

Catch rate: 5.5 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike11% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 89%Largest sampled 27"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	5.50	18.9"	1.96 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 26, 2013	0.89	18.9"	1.36 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	4.67	18.7"	1.89 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 44

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.7"

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	1.78	5.7"	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	0.12	5.0"	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 17, 1991	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 34

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 0.44 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	0.44	5.0"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	6.12	5.3"	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	0.33	5.3"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 31

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.5"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 19.1 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill3% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 97%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	19.11	5.5"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	26.38	5.2"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	0.33	5.2"	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 24

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	0.50	6.0"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 12, 2006	1.67	6.2"	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 12, 2006	0.50	6.2"	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (6)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Shorthead Redhorse

Good · 61

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1976

Last surveyed 1976 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.55 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1976	0.33	-	1.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1976	1.00	-	1.55 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.4"

Avg Weight

0.87 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	0.56	11.4"	0.87 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 12, 2006	0.25	11.5"	1.03 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 17, 1996	0.11	12.0"	1.01 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 40

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.6"

Avg Weight

0.69 lbs

Catch rate: 0.44 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 2013	0.44	9.6"	0.69 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 26, 2013	0.50	9.6"	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 12, 2006	1.88	9.7"	0.61 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 37

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 0.12 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1991	0.12	-	0.60 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1976	1.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1976	1.50	-	0.53 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.0"

Avg Weight

0.93 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 12, 2006	0.67	11.0"	0.93 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1991	0.33	-	2.85 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 16

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1996	0.11	5.0"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets

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 11.8 degrees C. The best overall oxy-thermal habitat for Tullibee was found from approximately 12 feet deep to about 20 feet deep. Data collected from 2009-2025 indicate only marginal thermal habitat for Tullibee in most years, with the best conditions found in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2025. Thermal habitat was comparable to other lakes in the area that were monitored in 2025. Because the Aitkin 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 14.5 degrees C. The best overall oxy-thermal habitat for Tullibee was limited and found from approximately 12 feet deep to about 18 feet deep. Data collected from 2009-2024 (*a few missing years) indicate only marginal thermal habitat for Tullibee in most years, with the best conditions found in 2014, 2015, and 2017, and was good compared to other lakes in the area that were monitored in 2024. Because the Aitkin 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…

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Little Ball Bluff?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Hybrid Sunfish in Little Ball Bluff. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Little Ball Bluff?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Little Ball Bluff. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Little Ball Bluff?

Little Ball Bluff has a maximum depth of 49 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Little Ball Bluff last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Ball Bluff is from 2013. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.