Blacksmith
A 39-acre lake near Park Rapids in Hubbard County — best known for trout and walleye. Last surveyed 2021.
Fish Species (6)
Rainbow Trout
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 54.5 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2021 | 6.60 | 9.8" | 0.28 lbs |
| Jun 2, 2021 | 54.50 | 9.8" | 0.43 lbs |
| May 31, 2017 | 38.00 | 10.6" | 0.65 lbs |
Walleye
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2000
Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2000 | 0.50 | 16.0" | 1.57 lbs |
| Aug 28, 1995 | 0.50 | 8.0" | 0.19 lbs |
Brown Trout
Typical numbers
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013
Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2013 | 0.50 | 23.0" | 6.26 lbs |
Green Sunfish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1971
Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 1971 | 4.00 | - | 0.10 lbs |
Other species in this lake (2)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Golden Shiner
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed May 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2021 | 3.20 | 5.3" | 0.08 lbs |
| May 31, 2017 | 6.60 | 5.3" | 0.08 lbs |
| May 31, 2017 | 2.00 | 5.3" | 0.11 lbs |
White Sucker
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1971
Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2015 | 0.20 | 21.0" | 4.67 lbs |
| Jul 30, 1971 | 1.00 | - | 1.00 lbs |
Biologist Notes
June 2, 2021Blacksmith Lake is located twelve miles north of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Blacksmith Lake has a surface area of 38.5 acres, shoreline le…
Blacksmith Lake is located twelve miles north of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Blacksmith Lake has a surface area of 38.5 acres, shoreline length of 1.36 miles, and a maximum depth of 45 feet. A county owned public access is located on the northwest corner of the lake. Blacksmith Lake is one of three lakes in the Park Rapids Management Area designated as a stream trout lake, specifically managed for Rainbow Trout, and stocked each fall with Rainbow Trout fingerlings. The other two lakes are Newman and Crappie Lakes. Abundance of Rainbow Trout in 2021 was the highest ever recorded at Blacksmith Lake. Fish from the 2020 stocking were 7 to 11 inches and fish from the 2019 and 2018 stockings were 12 to 16 inches.
May 31, 2017Blacksmith Lake is located twelve miles north of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Blacksmith Lake has a surface area of 38.5 acres, a shoreline…
Blacksmith Lake is located twelve miles north of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Blacksmith Lake has a surface area of 38.5 acres, a shoreline length of 1.36 miles, and a maximum depth of 45 feet. A county owned public access is located on the northwest corner of the lake, which can be difficult for larger boat trailers. Blacksmith Lake is one of three lakes in the Park Rapids Fisheries Management Area designated as a stream trout lake and stocked each fall with Rainbow Trout fingerlings. The other two lakes are Newman and Crappie Lakes. Abundance of Rainbow Trout in 2017 was the highest ever recorded at Blacksmith Lake. Fish from the 2016 stocking were 8 to 11 inches and fish from previous stockings were 12 to 20 inches. Eighty-seven percent of the captured Rainbow Trout in 2017 were Kamloops. Based on results of higher survival of Kamloops than Arlee strain from the Study IV project, all Rainbow Trout stocking will consist of Kamloops strain starting in 2017.
May 31, 2016Blacksmith Lake is located twelve miles north of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Blacksmith Lake has a surface area of 38.5 acres, a shoreline…
Blacksmith Lake is located twelve miles north of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Blacksmith Lake has a surface area of 38.5 acres, a shoreline length of 1.36 miles, and a maximum depth of 45 feet. A county owned public access is located on the northwest corner of the lake. Blacksmith lake is one of three lakes in the Park Rapids Management Area designated as a stream trout lake, specifically managed for Rainbow Trout, and stocked each fall with Rainbow Trout fingerlings. The other two lakes are Newman and Crappie Lakes. Abundance of Rainbow Trout in 2016 was the second highest ever recorded at Blacksmith Lake. Fish from the 2015 stocking were 8 to 11 inches and fish from the 2013 and 2012 stockings were 12 to 20 inches. Currently, two different strains of Rainbow Trout are being evaluated in Blacksmith Lake and the DNR would like information about your catch (i.e., size and presence of adipose fin). There is a sign with additional information at the public access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Blacksmith?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rainbow Trout, Walleye, and Brown Trout in Blacksmith. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Blacksmith?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Blacksmith. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Blacksmith?
Blacksmith has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Blacksmith last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Blacksmith is from 2021.
Does Blacksmith have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Blacksmith in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
More lakes in Hubbard County
View all23 acres
Rainbow Trout · Black Crappie
1,643 acres
Hybrid Sunfish · Largemouth Bass · Rock Bass
379 acres
Smallmouth Bass · Walleye · Black Crappie
133 acres
Smallmouth Bass · Black Crappie · Largemouth Bass
2,096 acres
Smallmouth Bass · Northern Pike · Largemouth Bass
194 acres
Hybrid Sunfish · Rock Bass · Northern Pike
Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 38.54 acres
- Max Depth
- 45 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.36 mi
- Public Access
- Yes