Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle Lake is a 1,047 acre (751 littoral acres), class 24 lake located in northeastern Ramsey County. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Muskellunge. Zebra mussels were discovered in August, 2018 and have the potential to increase the water clarity in Bald Eagle Lake which may impact future survey catch rates. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked biennially in even numbered years at a rate of 2.0 pounds per littoral acre (1,502 lbs.) from 1998-2016. Beginning in 2017 Walleye fingerlings are stocked annually at a rate of 1.0 or 0.65 pounds per littoral acre based on a randomized stocking schedule. This will allow better assessment of the effects of fingerling stocking density on Walleye year class strength. Muskellunge fingerlings are currently stocked at a rate of 1 fish per acre (1,047 fish) biennially in even numbered years. Additionally, Muskellunge yearlings and age-2 juveniles were stocked during 2015 and 2016. Bald Eagle was surveyed with gill nets in July to target Northern Pike and Walleye while Bass were sampled in May by electrofishing. Muskellunge were sampled during a separate standalone survey that will cover two years with the first year occurring spring 2022. The previous survey on this lake occurred in 2020. Walleye were sampled by gill nets at a rate of 4.3 fish per net. This is well above the median catch rate for the lake class of 2.8 fish per net and the highest catch for this lake since 2008. This is meeting the long-range management goal of a Walleye catch rate between 4 and 6 fish per net. Fish size was fairly evenly distributed with lengths ranging from 9.7 to 26.6 inches and averaging 17 inches. The ages of those fish were also well distributed with the majority of fish being 2 to 9 years old with one individual at 14 years old. It appears that stockings are consistently contributing to the fishery with adequate growth and persisting to offer an opportunity for larger size classes of fish. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 6.2 fish per gill net. This also exceeds the median catch rate for the lake class of 3.8. This was a substantially lower catch rate than the previous survey's catch of 14 fish per net but higher than the average over the last 30 years of between 3 to 4 fish per net. Fish size was typical for the lake and the lake class with an average length of 24 inches and a range of 16.6 to 33.9 inches. Seven percent of fish exceeded 30 inches in length so an opportunity for quality fish does exist. Yellow Perch were sampled at a rate or 24.2 fish per gill net which is double the median for the lake class but typical relative to the lake's history. Fish size small, as is typical, with a mean length of 7.1 inches. The largest fish sampled measured 9.7 inches long. Largemouth Bass were sampled by electrofishing at a rate of 27 fish per hour. Electrofishing catch rates on this lake have been quite variable in the past but this sampling was on the low end. Mean size was the largest yet with an average length of 11.3 inches. There was a lack of larger fish as the longest bass sampled was 16.8 inches. While other game fish species were sampled, summer gill netting does not produce data that is reliable for making inferences as to their abundance or size structure. As a note for anglers, two Muskellunge were sampled, a 42 and a 44 inch long fish. Other fish sampled were; Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

Bald Eagle Lake is a eutrophic lake assigned to lake class 24. Surface acreage is 1,047 acres with 751 acres being littoral (72%) and the lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet. The primary management species in Bald Eagle Lake are Walleye and Muskellunge. Beginning in 2017, Walleye fingerlings have been stocked annually at a rate of 1.0 or 0.65 pounds per littoral acre based on a randomized stocking schedule. This will allow assessment of the effects of fingerling stocking density on Walleye year class strength. Fingerling Muskellunge are stocked at a rate of one fish per acre (1,047 fish total) in even numbered years. The Muskellunge population is assessed by an independent survey separate from a standard lake survey. Muskellunge surveys are conducted using large trap nets set shortly after ice-out to target adult fish moving along shore to spawn. Population estimates using a two year mark-recapture analysis is the standard means of assessing Muskellunge populations. 2019 was the first of a two-year survey with the goal of calculating a population estimate for Muskellunge in the lake. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second year of this survey was cancelled. Survey schedules were then adjusted and a new two-year population estimate began in 2022. The 2022 survey sampled a total of 30 Muskellunge in Bald Eagle Lake from May 3rd to May 12th. Sizes ranged from 36.4 to 48.9 inches long and each fish was scanned for an existing passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag and the number recorded, or if absent, tagged with one. This allows for tracking of individual growth and calculating population size in the second year of sampling. A disparity in sex was evident in the sampling, with 24 males caught, 5 females and one unknown. The data collected in 2022 will be used in conjunction with the data from similar sampling in 2023 to estimate a total adult population size for Muskellunge in Bald Eagle Lake.

Bald Eagle Lake is a 1,047 acre lake (class 24) located in northeastern Ramsey County. Bald Eagle Lake Regional Park facilities are limited to the eastern parcel which contains the boat access with 50 car- trailer spaces, a picnic shelter and fishing pier. Other site amenities include a restroom facility and play area. Park property on the west shore is undeveloped. Bald Eagle is a popular fishing lake and a popular site for recreational boating. Submersed aquatic vegetation can become matted on the surface during summer months hindering recreational and angling activities. Zebra mussels were discovered in August, 2018 and have the potential to increase the water clarity in Bald Eagle Lake which could alter fish abundances in the future. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Muskellunge. Beginning in 2017, Walleye fingerlings were stocked annually at a rate of 1.0 or 0.65 pounds per littoral acre based on a randomized stocking schedule, allowing DNR Fisheries to assess the effects of fingerling stocking density on Walleye year-class strength. Muskellunge fingerlings are currently stocked at a rate of 1 fish per acre (1,047 fish) in even numbered years. Bald Eagle Lake is in the North-Central Northern Pike Management Zone which allows a harvest of 10 fish, with two fish allowed over 26 inches in length and a protected slot between 22 and 26 inches. The objectives of this regulation are to see some modest improvement in northern pike size distribution, reduce densities of small pike, and improve harvest opportunity for smaller and preferred size pike. Walleye were sampled at a rate of 2.42 fish per gill net and in the normal range for Bald Eagle Lake, but lower than previous surveys. Walleye sampled were between 10 and 26 inches long (15.5 inch average). Almost all of the Walleye sampled in 2020 were from the 2016 stocking (age 4 fish). This strong year-class should support quality Walleye fishing in Bald Eagle Lake for many years to come. The 2016 year-class was comprised of larger fingerlings than what are normally stocked. Yellow Perch averaged 6.3 inches and were within a normal range for Bald Eagle providing a solid forage base for Walleye, Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike abundance is up considerably from all previous surveys and was the highest ever recorded. Northern Pike average length was 24.85 inches. One 39.17 inch Muskellunge was sampled in the gill nets during this survey. Black Crappie and Bluegill Sunfish numbers were in the normal ranges for this lake and didn't have any outstanding qualities. Crappies averaged 6.5 inches and Bluegills 5.6 inches long. Summer surveys are not as good as spring surveys for sampling these species, especially larger individuals. Pumpkinseed Sunfish were found in good abundance and were similar in size to Bluegill. Above average numbers of Largemouth bass were observed during this survey and sizes ranged from 7.28 to 15.35 inches long.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Bald Eagle. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Bald Eagle has a maximum depth of 36 feet and a mean depth of 13.3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Bald Eagle has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil , flowering rush, and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.