Ballantyne

Minnesota DNR staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of Ballantyne Lake on September 3rd, 2025, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. There was a total of 11.85 acres of floating and emergent plants mapped. This consisted of 10.88 acres of emergent dominated plant communities and 0.97 acres of floating leaf plant communities. The following taxa were noted during the survey: Emergent taxa: bulrush (round-stem group) (Schoenoplectus spp.) and cattail (Typha spp.); Floating-leaf taxa: floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and yellow waterlily (Nuphar variegata); and Submerged Taxa: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Illinois pondweed (Potamogeton illinoensis), and large-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius).

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ballantyne Lake was conducted on 2 July 2025 by DNR Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 9 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 8 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample 1 station. One station could not be sampled due to heavy vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including Iowa Darter which is a species that are intolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. Ballantyne Lake scored a 41 which exceeds the level for impairment (36) for tool 7 lakes. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Bigmouth Buffalo). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Minnesota River-Mankato Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Lake Ballantyne is a 350-acre lake located in Blue Earth County near the town of Madison Lake. A DNR-owned public access is located on the south shore at the end of 615th Lane. Lake Ballantyne has maximum depth of 58 feet, which can be found in one of the two relatively deep holes in the lake. Most of the lake is comprised of shallower water, with about 81% of the lake less than 15 feet deep. Lake Ballantyne is managed primarily for Walleye and Northern Pike and secondarily for Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Lake Ballantyne was surveyed the week of 30 June 2025 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. This survey consisted of deploying six gill nets and eight trap nets intended to assess the fish population. Water quality parameters were also recorded. Walleye abundance was low during the 2025 survey. Sixteen Walleye were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 2.7 fish/net. Walleye catch rates in gill nets have been below 1.0 fish/net in every survey conducted on Lake Ballantyne since 1992 with the exception of 2003. Walleyes sampled in gill nets averaged 13.6 inches and ranged from 8.9 to 20.3 inches. Four year classes were present, 2019 and 2021-2023. The age-3 (2022) year class made up sixty-nine percent of the sample. Trap nets yielded two Walleyes (0.3 fish/net), these fish were 13.7, and 15.4 inches in length. As part of the surplus stocking plan, fingerlings, yearlings and adults have been stocked into Lake Ballantyne in recent years. Adult Yellow Perch abundance has been low throughout the survey history on Lake Ballantyne. The survey conducted in 2025 was no exception, with gill nets yielding 5.8 fish/net. This catch rate, however, was the second highest recorded on Lake Ballantyne since 1992. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5.4 to 6.6 inches and averaged 5.8 inches. Bluegill abundance in Lake Ballantyne had remained relatively stable since 1992. The 2025 catch rate of 16.9/trap net was less than the historic average of 31.7/net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.1 to 8.5 inches and averaged 6.6 inches. Otoliths and scales were taken for aging. Bluegills collected ranged in age from 2 to 8 years of age. The most abundant group was the 2022 year-class (age-3). Bluegills reached 6.2 inches at age four, indicating slow to moderate growth. Black Crappie abundance in Lake Ballantyne has been relatively high in the past three surveys; 22.3 fish/gill net in 2009, 17.8 fish/gill net in 2014 and 15.2 fish/gill net in 2019. In 2025 that number dropped closer to the long term average (9.8/net) with a catch rate of 7.5/ gill net. Black Crappie collected in gill nets ranged in length from 4.1 to 9.7 inches and averaged 6.6 inches, indicating a small size structure. Black Crappie were also collected in trap nets at a rate of 1.1 fish/net. Black Crappies were aged using scales and otoliths. These fish ranged from age-2 to age-12 with 9 age classes present. The youngest four age groups were each represented well, indicating consistent recruitment of Black Crappie. White Crappie are also present in Lake Ballantyne. The 2025 gill net catch rate was 7.8 fish/net, which ranged from 5.9 to 10.0 inches and averaged 6.8 inches in length. Northern Pike abundance has varied from 0.0 fish/gill net in 1995 to 11.3 fish/gill net in 2000. The 2025 catch rate of 5.0 fish/gill net was greater than the long-term lake average (3.8 fish/gill net). The length of Northern Pike ranged from 18.8 to 34.7 inches and averaged 23.5 inches. The Lake Ballantyne Northern Pike population is sustained through natural recruitment. The sampling gears typically used in surveys do not effectively capture adult Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass were sampled using electrofishing in 2025. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 45 fish per hour. The Largemouth Bass sampled ranged in length from 3.5 inches to 19.5 inches averaging 10.3 inches. A population estimate of Largemouth Bass was also conducted in the spring of 2025. This produced an estimate of 1,500 Largemouth Bass over 8.0 inches in Lake Ballantyne. Additional species collected in gill and trap nets in low abundance included Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, and Freshwater Drum. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Green Sunfish, and White Crappie in Ballantyne. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Ballantyne has a maximum depth of 58 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ballantyne is from 2025.

Yes — Ballantyne has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.