Blandin

Blandin Reservoir is a 449 acre impoundment on the Mississippi River, which is controlled by a dam at the Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids, MN. The reservoir has minimal storage capacity and functions more as a flow-through system, minimizing water level fluctuations. The reservoir has a high percentage of shallow water containing an abundance of wood and wild rice. The 2013 management plan lists Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie as primary management species. Muskellunge and Largemouth Bass were listed as secondary management species. Walleye fingerling stocking was discontinued in 2017. Catches for Bluegill and Black Crappie were lower than lakes with similar habitat. The low number of fish generally sampled suggests mid-summer test netting is a poor method of sampling and catch rates are not a true indicator of relative abundance. Anecdotal reports suggest fair numbers of panfish are caught at times, especially in the winter. The Walleye catch was modest, especially considering lakes like Blandin are not known to produce an abundance of Walleye. The sampled fish were young, averaging 13 inches and assumed to be from natural reproduction. Angling opportunities appear favorable, especially seasonally. The Northern Pike catch was lower than the expected range for lakes with similar habitat, yet similar to previous surveys. Low catches are generally desirable as its often associated with quality size structure. However, as in previous surveys, size structure was poor. Sampled fish ranged from 15.6 to 29.3 inches and averaged 21 inches. Fish within the protected slot (22-26 inches) of the North-central zone regulation comprised 29% of the sample. Angling opportunities for bass are likely favorable at times. Largemouth Bass are not sampled well with nets and only a few were sampled in 2023. Electrofishing in 2013 had a moderately high rate. A modest gill net sample of Smallmouth Bass indicated a decent size structure with fish up to 17 inches sampled. Other species sampled included Bowfin, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rockbass, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.

Blandin Reservoir is a 449-acre waterbody located within the city limits of Grand Rapids. Water levels are controlled by the Blandin Paper Company Dam at the downstream end of the reservoir and the Pokegama Dam at the upstream end. This impounded section of the Mississippi River is 3.5 miles long. This reservoir has two public accesses. One off Hwy 63 that is administered by the Blandin Paper Company and another at the end of Southwest 1st Street that also has a fishing pier and is administered by the city. Blandin Reservoir has a maximum depth of 38 feet and 82% is 15 feet or less. Water chemistry analysis in 2012 indicated hard water and good fertility. Water transparency in 2012 was 7 feet, indicating moderately clear water with a brownish tint. A targeted survey to sample Walleye occurred in May 2018 to evaluate the relative contribution of stocked and naturally produced Walleye to the population. The previous eight standard surveys in August using gill nets and trap nets have all characterized the Walleye population as lower density, average size distribution and slow growth. The 2018 targeted survey used daytime electrofishing in May and sampled 58 Walleye. This compares to 54 total Walleye sampled in the past four standard surveys combined. Not surprisingly, a higher proportion of quality (15+ inches) and preferred (20+ inches) sized fish were sampled in May during the spawning period than in any previous August survey. Two memorable (25+ inches) sized fish were also sampled in May, which is more than all previous August surveys combined. Walleye in 2018 ranged in length from 11 to 26 inches, and age from 3 to 15. Age analysis indicated 11 year classes, with 53% of fish sampled being ages 6 and 7. As has been observed in all past surveys, natural reproduction occurs fairly consistently with fish sampled from 4 non stocked year classes in 2018. Consistent with past surveys, growth rates in 2018 were below the statewide average for all ages of Walleye sampled. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow and/or minimize the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body. Blandin Reservoir is an infested water body with zebra mussels and curly leaf pond weed present.

Blandin Reservoir is a 449-acre impoundment on the Mississippi River, controlled by a dam at Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids, MN. Blandin Reservoir has minimal storage capacity and functions more as a flow-through system, minimizing water level fluctuations. The lake is in ecological lake class 35, which represents moderate size lakes with a high percentage of littoral area and moderately clear and hard water. Other area lakes in this class include Little Cut Foot Sioux and Prairie Lakes. The northern pike gill-net catch was below the lake class expected range at 1.8/net. Catch rates in past assessments have also been low, varying from 1.6 to 3.8/gill net. As in previous surveys, northern pike size structure was poor. Sampled pike ranged from 11.4 to 24.5 inches, with a mean length of 18.6 inches. Ages 1-5 were represented in the sample. Growth was similar to the statewide average with pike reaching 20.2 inches at age 3. The yellow perch gill-net catch was near the lake class first quartile at 3.6/net. Catch rates have varied from 1.5 to 10.3/gill net in previous assessments. Size structure was relatively poor with only two fish exceeding 9 inches. Sampled perch ranged from 5.4 to 9.8 inches with a mean length of 6.6 inches. Ages 2-7 were represented in the sample. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish reaching 6.4 inches at age 4. The walleye gill-net catch was near the lake class first quartile at 1.1/net. Catch rates in previous assessments have generally been low, varying from 0.6 to 2.9/gill net. Sample size was insufficient to calculate size structure indices. Sampled fish ranged from 8.3 to 18.7 inches with a mean length of 11.8 inches. The length distribution suggests fish over 14 inches may be subject to harvest. Anecdotal reports suggest anglers catch good numbers of walleye in the spring time. Ages 1-4, and 6 were represented in the sample. Age-1 and age-3 fish made up 60% of the sample and correspond to non-stocked years. The preponderance of these small fish in the sample may be because they were too small to be harvested yet. Growth was similar to the statewide average fish reaching 14.8 inches at age 4. Bluegill were sampled at 1.9/trap net and 1.0/gill net. Net catches in past assessments have generally been low. Size structure was poor. Trap-net sampled bluegill averaged 5.4 inches while those from gill nets average 7.2 inches. Only two bluegill over 8 inches were sampled (both from gill nets). Ages 1, 2, 4 and 5 were represented in the sample. Growth was similar to the lake class average with fish reaching 5.6 inches at age 4. Pumpkinseed sunfish were captured in slightly higher numbers of 2.2/trap net and 3.6/gill net. Size structure was poor. Mean length of pumpkinseeds was 4.0 inches from trap nets and 5.7 inches from gill nets. Only two black crappie were sampled for a catch rate of 0.2/gill net. Mid-summer test-netting is typically a poor method for sampling crappie and catch rates are not a true indicator of relative abundance. Angler reports suggest fair numbers of crappie are caught in Blandin Reservoir, particularly in the winter months. Daytime electrofishing was conducted in attempt to sample largemouth and smallmouth bass. Largemouth bass were captured at 21.3 fish/hour of on-time. This could be considered a moderately high catch rate for daytime sampling, since fish are more likely to spook from the boat and harder to catch than with night-time sampling. Sampled largemouth bass ranged from 2.4 to 17.9 inches with a mean length of 12.5 inches. Ages 2-9 were represented in the sample and growth was similar to the statewide average. Largemouth bass averaged 14.2 inches in 5 years. In some lakes gill nets provide better catches of smallmouth bass than electrofishing. Only two smallmouth bass were captured with electrofishing, but nine were captured with gill nets for a catch rate of 1.0/net. This catch rate is twice the lake class average and the highest recorded for Blandin Reservoir. Sampled smallmouth ranged from 8.3 to 17.5 inches with a mean length of 14.7 inches. Sample size was too small to calculate meaningful size structure indices or growth rates. Other species sampled in the survey included bowfin, brown and yellow bullhead, rock bass, hybrid sunfish, shorthead redhorse and white sucker.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie in Blandin. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Blandin has a maximum depth of 38 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Blandin is from 2023.

Yes — Blandin has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.