Blackhawk

Blackhawk Lake is a 54-acre, class 42 lake located in the City of Eagan. The south shoreline is located within Blackhawk Lake Park, which is managed by the City of Eagan Parks and Recreation Department, and the north shoreline is developed with single-family homes. The City of Eagan maintains a carry-in boat access, as well as a fishing pier, fishing platform, and designated shorefishing areas. Blackhawk Lake is a long, narrow body of water that is separated into two basins by a shallow saddle in the center of the lake. The east basin is smaller in both area and volume, with a maximum depth of 7.5 feet, while the west basin reaches a maximum depth of 11 feet. A floating bridge walkway crosses the center of the lake. The entire lake supports abundant submersed aquatic plant growth, and the City of Eagan operates a harvester during the summer to create open-water areas for angling. A winter aeration system was installed in 1995 and is operated by the City of Eagan to prevent winterkill. Panfish were the predominant fish group sampled in Blackhawk Lake, with Bluegill being the most abundant species captured in trap nets, followed by Hybrid Sunfish. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 24.6 fish per trap net, which is above average, falling between the median and third quartile for the lake class. This catch rate represents a decline from 62.4 fish per trap net in the 2015 survey. Bluegills sampled ranged from 3.2 to 7.5 inches, with a mean length of 5.6 inches, slightly larger than the 2015 mean length of 5.2 inches. Hybrid Sunfish were the second most abundant species sampled, at a rate of 7.1 fish per trap net, which increased from 6.3 fish per trap net in the 2015 survey. Hybrid Sunfish sampled ranged from 3.2 to 7.2 inches, with a mean length of 5.7 inches, comparable to the 2015 mean length of 5.9 inches. Pumpkinseed Sunfish were sampled at a rate of 3.1 fish per trap net, which is above average for this lake class and slightly higher than the 2015 catch rate of 2.9 fish per trap net. Pumpkinseed Sunfish sampled ranged from 3.4 to 8.7 inches, with a mean length of 6.2 inches, larger than the 2015 mean length of 5.0 inches. Consistent with past surveys, Black Crappie were sampled in low abundance, at a rate of 1.1 fish per trap net, which is below average and less than the first quartile for this lake class. This catch rate declined from 2.50 fish per trap net in the 2015 survey. Two Largemouth Bass were sampled in trap net sets, consistent with the 2015 survey. These fish measured 9.3 and 14.1 inches, both larger than those sampled in 2015. The City of Eagan encourages anglers to practice catch-and-release for Largemouth Bass at Blackhawk Lake; however, this practice is voluntary. Other species sampled in low abundance during the survey included Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish.

Blackhawk Lake is located in the City of Eagan, Dakota County. Approximately half of the shoreline is in Blackhawk Lake Park which is managed by the City of Eagan Parks and Recreation Department. The City of Eagan maintains a carry-in boat access, a fishing pier, fishing platform, and shore fishing areas. A floating pedestrian bridge bisects the lake into an east basin and west basin. The maximum depth is 11.5 feet and is found in the western basin. A winter aeration system was installed in 1995 and is operated to prevent winterkill of the gamefish population. Bluegills were the most abundant fish sampled in the survey with over 500 being caught. Their average size was subpar though, with only two fish measuring over seven inches in length. This condition can produce good fishing action but typically results in very few larger fish to harvest. Largemouth Bass numbers and average size have declined from 2010. The largest fish was 8.70 inches long and the catch rate declined by 95%. The City of Eagan encourages anglers to practice catch-and-release for Largemouth Bass in Blackhawk Lake. Other species sampled included Hybrid Sunfish and Pumpkinseed Sunfish, both in low to moderate numbers with the majority of fish less than six inches in average length. Northern Pike were found in good abundance and a wide range of sizes, from 16 to 31 inches. Black Bullheads were sampled in moderate numbers and ranged in size from 6 inches to over 13 inches

Blackhawk Lake is located in the City of Eagan, Dakota County. Approximately half of the shoreline is in Blackhawk Lake Park which is managed by the City of Eagan Parks and Recreation Department. The City of Eagan maintains a carry-in boat access as well as a fishing pier, fishing platform and shore fishing areas. A floating pedestrian bridge bisects the lake into an east basin and west basin. The maximum depth is 11.5 feet and is found in the western basin. Bluegills were the most abundant fish sampled in the survey with over 500 being caught. Their average size was subpar though, with only three fish measuring over seven inches in length. This condition can produce good fishing action but typically results in very few fish to harvest. Largemouth bass numbers and average size has decreased from 2003 with the largest fish being 15.8 inches long and the catch rate in the survey gear declining by 34%. The City of Eagan encourages anglers to practice catch-and-release for largemouth bass in Blackhawk Lake. Other species sampled included hybrid sunfish and pumpkinseeds, both in low to moderate numbers and under six inches in average length. Northern pike were found in low abundance and a wide range of sizes, from 13 inches up to 34 inches. Black bullheads were sampled in low numbers but nearly all fish were over 10 inches in length.

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

Blackhawk has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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