Blind

This survey was conducted on 3/5/2026 to gauge the likelihood of a winterkill occurring on Blind Lake. Winter dissolved oxygen levels were good for Blind Lake and likely tolerable based on this survey with 5.9 ppm below the ice and 1.3 ppm near the bottom. Therefore, it seemed unlikely for any significant winterkill to occur in spring 2026.

Blind Lake is 304 acres and has a maximum depth of 17 feet. A targeted panfish survey was conducted on 5/7/2025. A total of 129 Bluegill were sampled for a trap net catch rate of 21.5 per net. Bluegill averaged 8.8 inches with fish up to 9.6 inches observed. Fish ranged from 3 to 8 years old with age 6 (2019 year-class) fish absent from the sample. Age 5 fish (2020 year-class) were the most frequent age-class sampled and comprised 56.5 percent of the Bluegill catch. Bluegill averaged 7.9 inches in 4 years and was up from the previous survey in 2018 (6.3 inches in 4 years). Thirty-nine Black Crappie were sampled, resulting in a trap net catch rate of 6.5 per net. Crappie averaged 10.7 inches with fish up to 12.7 inches observed. Fish ranged from 2 to 6 years old with age 3 (2022 year-class) absent from the sample. Age 5 (2020 year-class) Crappie were the most frequent age-class sampled and accounted for 74.4 percent of the Crappie catch. Crappie averaged 9.8 inches in 4 years and were up from other assessments (historical average was 7.6 inches at age 4). Other species observed during the assessment included Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead. The Bigmouth Buffalo that were sampled were the smallest that have been observed in the Aitkin Area at 13.4 and 15.2 inches, which are of juvenile size and indicate Blind Lake is a likely spawning area for Bigmouth Buffalo in this part of the Mississippi River watershed.

Blind Lake is located approximately 8 miles north of Aitkin. The lake is 370 acres and with a maximum depth of 17 feet, nearly all of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. The lake is known to experience winterkill during severe winters with some of the last known being partial winterkills during the winter of 1995-96, 2012-2013 and 2017-2018. Partial winterkills are likely to have occurred in other years too, but were never reported or documented. Winterkills are not necessarily a bad thing and historically were fairly common in Minnesota. In recent years, winters have not been as harsh and winterkills have not been as prevalent on a statewide scale. Partial winterkills are usually good for lakes particularly when it comes to Bluegills. Following a winterkill there are typically enough survivors to repopulate the lake and growth rates tend to be very good for some time. As densities increase with the addition of each new year class, the survival decreases and growth rates slow. The lake then winterkills again, thereby decreasing density, and the whole process of high survival and fast growth repeats itself. When these lakes go several years without a winterkill, and they do, they then provide for excellent fisheries. Development is relatively light with only 4.6 homes/cabins per shoreline mile, most of which are located along the east side of the lake. One seasonal campground exists on the northwest end of the lake. Shallow water substrates consist primarily of sand, muck, and detritus, though areas of gravel, boulders, rubble, and silt are present as well. The aquatic plant community is relatively diverse with 36 species present and is integral to maintaining good water quality as well as maintaining healthy fish populations. Emergent plants such as bulrush are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and provide essential spawning habitat for bass and panfish species. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species. The Northern Pike catch was above average when compared to similar lakes at 10.3/gill net in 2018. Past catches have ranged from 7 to 13.7/gill net with an average of 10.9/gill net. Average length and weight were 21.9" and 2.3 lbs with 16% measuring at least 24". Yellow Perch are always an important forage species for Northern Pike and they were present in good numbers the last time the lake was surveyed with a catch rate of 37.9/gill net which was the highest catch to date . However in 2018, Yellow Perch were down to 8/gill net which is the lowest catch on record. Bluegill seem to have been affected by the winterkill and were caught in lower numbers than usual for this lake at 8.9/trap net. Black Crappie numbers were not affected as much by the winterkill and were caught in average numbers for the lake at 10.4/gill net. Size of each species was respectable with 40% of Bluegills measuring at least 7" and 26% of all crappies measuring at least 8".

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Blind. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Blind has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Blind is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Blind in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.