Black

Black Lake is a relatively quiet and remote waterbody located north of Three Island Lake in south-central Beltrami County. The lake covers 271 acres and has a maximum depth of 42 feet. Water clarity is roughly 8 feet. The lake flows into Three Island Lake on the Turtle River chain though a culvert under Black Lake Township Road. There is no designated DNR administered access to Black Lake though anglers have historically accessed the lake by Township Road right-of-way. Public access to this lake was in dispute at the time of this survey in 2017. Black Crappie were observed in moderate abundance on Black Lake in 2017. A total of 58 crappies averaging 9.0 inches in length were captured, with crappies up to 12.8 inches recorded. Overall, 17% of the crappies found in the 2017 survey were over 11 inches in length. Northern Pike were captured in strong numbers (79 total) with lengths ranging from 16.6 to 34.2 inches and averaging 23.6 inches. Of the pike captured, 18% were over 26 inches in length which is a much higher percentage than most area lakes. Walleye are present in Black Lake but in low numbers. In fact, only 14 were captured during the entire assessment; however, lengths ranged from 18.1 to 24.9 inches. This suggests the Walleye population in Black Lake could possibly be comprised of migrants that stay in the lake after attempting to spawn in the spring. If this is the case, the Walleye population could fluctuate greatly from year to year depending on spring water conditions. Bluegill are not overly abundant in Black Lake compared to most lakes in the area. However, a total of 48 were captured in 2017 with lengths up to 10.2 inches. Bluegill averaged 7.2 inches but 56% of the fish captured were over 8 inches in length.

YELLOW PERCH POPULATION IS DOUBLE 1975 NET CATCHES. (4 TIMES LOCAL MEDIAN). BLACK BULLHEAD ARE 20 TIMES 1975 NET CATCHES (14 TIMES LOCAL MEDIAN). NORTHERN PIKE ARE HALF THE NUMBERS FROM 1975 SURVEY BUT ABOVE LOCAL MEDIAN.

A comparison of test net catches with local medians indicated that Bowfin, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie were captured at rates which were above average. White Sucker, Walleye, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed were captured in average abundance. Tullibee/Cisco, Black Bullhead, Bluegill, and Rock Bass were captured at lower than average rates.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, and Rock Bass in Black. 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 Black. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Black has a maximum depth of 42 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Black is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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