Ball Club

Ball Club Lake is located about 20 miles from the City of Grand Marais and can be accessed from the Ball Club Lake Road, a well-maintained gravel road north of Two Island Lake. There is a concrete boat launch at the lake and a small camping area, with parking for six or seven vehicles. There is no development on the lake. This survey of Ball Club Lake was completed to update population data for Walleye and Northern Pike and to monitor for the introduction of undesirable fish species to the lake. Ball Club Lake is managed primarily for Walleye, with a long-term goal of maintaining a minimum gill net catch of 6.0 fish/set, including some fish over 20 inches. The secondary management species is Northern Pike, with a long-term goal of maintaining a minimum gill net catch of 1.5 fish/set, and the presence of some fish over 25 inches. Regular Walleye stocking on the lake occurred in the 1970s and 1980s but was discontinued due to sufficient natural reproduction documented in most surveys completed at that time. Management goals for the Ball Club Lake Walleye population were met in the 2022 standard survey. The gill net catch exceeded the normal range of catches for similar lakes and was the highest observed for Ball Club Lake since 1983. Most of the Walleye sampled in 2022 were small, although one Walleye over 20 inches was captured. The mean weight for Walleye taken in gill nets was low compared to similar lakes in this area, but comparable to mean weights attained in past surveys of this lake. Fair numbers of Walleye were also sampled in 0.75-inch-mesh trap nets. Walleye natural reproduction appeared very consistent over the past ten years. Relatively strong year classes were apparently produced in 2017, 2018, and 2019. The 2021 year class also accounted for about 26% of the combined Walleye sample suggesting an additional strong year class may contribute to the fishery in the coming years. Walleye growth rates had been about average; Walleye average 11.6 inches at the end of their third year, compared to an area mean of 12.1 inches at that age. Northern Pike were not captured in any sampling gear in 2022. Northern Pike gill net catches in this lake have varied widely and catches of zero fish have occurred in the past. Previously, low catches have always been followed by a quick recovery, with no management intervention. However, this marked the second consecutive survey in which Northern Pike were absent. Yellow Perch gill net catches have shown an increasing trend over the last several surveys of Ball Club Lake, which could be the result of reduced Northern Pike abundance in the lake. The Yellow Perch gill net catch in 2022 followed the trend of higher catches, although abundance did not appear particularly high when compared to similar lakes in the area. High numbers of non-young-of-year Yellow Perch were also sampled in 0.25-inch-mesh trap nets, a majority of which would have been too small to be captured in gill nets. The Yellow Perch population likely provided a good forage base for Walleye, but few fish were large enough to attract much interest from anglers. The 2022 White Sucker gill net catch was about average for the lake class, and within the range of catches historically observed for the lake. Most of the White Sucker sampled in 2022 were too large to serve as forage for Walleye. Additional species sampled in 0.25-inch-mesh trap nets included Blacknose Shiner and Golden Shiner. Golden Shiners appeared relatively abundant in that gear and may have contributed to the Walleye forage base. No new fish species to the lake were documented in this survey.

This was to have been the second of two assessments scheduled in the 2006 lake management plan to determine whether regular walleye stocking should be resumed in this lake. The first (in 2008) was canceled due to a shortage of staff and funding. Ball Club Lake is managed primarily for walleye, with a long term goal of maintaining a minimum gill net catch of 6.0 fish/set, with some fish over 20 inches. The secondary management species is northern pike, with a long term goal of maintaining a minimum gill net catch of 1.5 fish/set, with some fish over 25 inches. Walleye were abundant but small in Ball Club Lake in 2012, and management goals for walleye were met. The gill net catch exceeded the normal range the lake class, and was the highest seen in this lake since 1985. Walleye over 20 inches were present, with a few taken in trap net sets. The mean weight for walleye taken in gill nets, although below the normal range for the lake class, was similar to values from past assessments of this lake. Although fingerling stocking done in 2007 may have contributed to a strong year class produced that year, several natural year classes also contributed to the catch, including relatively strong year classes in 2006, 2009, and 2010. Walleye growth rates had been fairly typical for a lake of this class, in this area. Three-year-old walleye reached a mean length of 12.0 inches at the end of their third year, compared to an area average of 11.6 inches. Good walleye growth was supported by a forage base consisting primarily of yellow perch. During spring electrofishing by the Fond du Lac band and the 1854 Treaty Authority, 304 walleye 10 inches or larger were marked and released in Ball Club Lake. Recaptures of marked fish during the August 2012 assessment allowed us to estimate that the lake supported a total population of 1,051 walleye 10-inches or larger in April 2012 (plus or minus 572 fish). It appears that resumed walleye stocking is not necessary in this lake. The walleye goal was met in 2012, almost entirely by naturally-produced fish. Natural year classes were strong enough, and were produced often enough, to support a good walleye fishery. No northern pike were taken in the 2012 assessment, in any sampling gear. Northern pike gill net catches in this lake have varied widely, and catches of zero fish have occurred in the past. Low catches have always been followed by a quick recovery, with no management intervention. The yellow perch gill net catch increased considerably between 2004 and 2012, perhaps due to the decline in northern pike abundance. Although yellow perch were fairly abundant, and provided a good forage base for walleye, most were too small to have attracted much interest from anglers. White sucker were also abundant in 2012; the gill net catch exceeded the normal range for the lake class, and was the second highest seen in this lake historically. White sucker may also have benefitted from the lack of northern pike in 2004 and 2012. From the length frequency distribution it was apparent that several year classes contributed to the 2012 white sucker catch.

The number of walleye caught in this assessment was somewhat low for this lake historically, but was average for lakes of this class. Walleye up to 22 inches long were collected. Eight year classes (ages 2-9) were represented in the sample, and all had been naturally produced. Walleye growth had been about average, compared to similar lakes in the area.The number of northern pike caught was low for this lake historically and when compared to similar lakes in the area. The largest fish collected was 23 inches long, and the oldest fish were just three years old.The catch of yellow perch was low, and the fish were small (eight inches or less in length).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Brook Trout, and Northern Pike in Ball Club. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Ball Club has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ball Club is from 2022.

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