Ball Bluff

Aitkin County, Minnesota — DOW #01004600

136 Surveys

168.64

Acres

78 ft

Max Depth

25 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Ball Bluff. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	4.3	—	—	4
2016-08-10	15-ft beach seine	0.6	—	—	4
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	3.0	—	—	3
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.00 lb	1
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.38 lb	4
2011-06-20	Backpack electrofishing	3.0	—	—	1
2011-06-20	Standard electrofishing	19.0	—	0.96 lb	17
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.60 lb	3
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.29 lb	5
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	3.5	—	—	5
2001-06-25	Standard electrofishing	9.4	—	0.76 lb	10
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	1.30 lb	7
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.50 lb	2
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	3.10 lb	1

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	—	1
2016-08-10	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	2
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	1.4 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.16 lb	11
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.12 lb	3
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	2.7 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.20 lb	24
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	1.2	—	—	6
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.04 lb	5
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	3.1 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.19 lb	28
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.05 lb	1
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.16 lb	7

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	90.8	—	—	85
2016-08-10	15-ft beach seine	6.6	—	—	46
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	29.0	—	—	29
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.50 lb	1
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	12.9 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.12 lb	103
2011-06-20	Backpack electrofishing	60.7	—	—	20
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.05 lb	3
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	25.0 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.13 lb	225
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	22.9	—	—	33
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	10.4	—	—	52
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.07 lb	2
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	16.6 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.15 lb	149
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	5.6 (below normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.13 lb	28
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	1.5	—	0.03 lb	3

Brook Trout

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	1
2016-08-10	15-ft beach seine	3.6	—	25
2011-06-20	Backpack electrofishing	30.4	—	10
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	2

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	5.3	—	5
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	10.4	—	15

LED

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	3.2	—	3
2016-08-10	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	5
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	2.0	—	2
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	5.5	—	8
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	2.6	—	13

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	10.0	—	10
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	21.4	—	20
2016-08-10	15-ft beach seine	1.6	—	11
2011-06-20	Backpack electrofishing	9.1	—	3
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	6.2	—	9
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	8.0	—	40

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	2.0	—	—	2
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	3.2	—	—	3
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.25 lb	4
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.31 lb	2
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.31 lb	15
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	—	2
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.19 lb	4
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.40 lb	2

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	1
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	2.9	—	0.21 lb	26
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.49 lb	2

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	8.5	—	8
2016-08-10	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	3
2011-06-20	Backpack electrofishing	12.1	—	4
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	1
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	2

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	1
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	5.3	—	5
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	1
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	9.7	—	14

BCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	Backpack electrofishing	4.3	—	4
2011-06-20	Backpack electrofishing	3.0	—	1
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	2.8	—	4

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	1
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.15 lb	6
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.12 lb	6
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.09 lb	4
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.09 lb	1
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	—	1
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.17 lb	4
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.09 lb	18

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-10	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	1
2021-06-21	Backpack electrofishing	2.8	—	4

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.86 lb	5
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.20 lb	1
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.93 lb	2

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.55 lb	6
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.55 lb	32
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.70 lb	9
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.60 lb	12
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.49 lb	2
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	3.2 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.57 lb	29
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.35 lb	10
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.65 lb	15

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	8.8 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.32 lb	44
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.93 lb	3
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	2.49 lb	27
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	1.14 lb	1
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	10.0 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.57 lb	60
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	0.93 lb	6
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	11.5 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.28 lb	23
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	0.57 lb	3

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.0	3.00 lb	4
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.20 lb	2
2011-06-20	Standard electrofishing	2.2	—	3.30 lb	2
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.0	4.70 lb	5
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.74 lb	3
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.85 lb	4

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.4 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.3	4.10 lb	2
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	3.67 lb	4
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.38 lb	8
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.3	3.95 lb	1
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	1.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	3.31 lb	13
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	2.57 lb	3

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.55 lb	8
2011-06-20	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	1.3 – 10.4	2.52 lb	11
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.3 – 10.4	1.03 lb	2
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	18.0 (above normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.42 lb	36

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.50 lb	4
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.87 lb	3
2001-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.65 lb	1
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.53 lb	1
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.00 lb	1

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.35 lb	4
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.34 lb	4
2001-06-25	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.55 lb	15
1977-08-08	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.55 lb	2
1977-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.40 lb	3

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-06-20	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	18.23 lb	1

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-06-21	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

3K StorageMN on Lake Minnewawa

McGregor, MN

(218) 429-2108

★ 5

Aitkin Rental

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6907

★ 4.5

Farm Island Repair and Marine

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6395

★ 4.7

FLOE International

McGregor, MN

(800) 336-6337

★ 4.8

Horseshoelakestorage.net

McGregor, MN

(218) 670-0063

★ 5

Libby Marine

McGregor, MN

(218) 994-9245

Resorts & Lodges Near Ball Bluff

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Ball Bluff.

Big Sandy Lake Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort McGregor

(612) 735-9455

McGregor Cabin Rentals

Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 839-7545

Loaf N Leisure Resort and RV Park

Fishing Resort Aitkin

(218) 234-2882

Ole's Resort

Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 426-3487

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Ball Bluff. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Bigmouth Buffalo Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Ball Bluff

Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Guide

Fishing Guide

(651) 271-8600

Mille Lacs Lake Guiding

Fishing Guide

(763) 238-7507

North Mille Lacs Ice Fishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 670-5012

Other Lakes in Aitkin County

Plan Your Trip to Ball Bluff

Weather forecast for Ball Bluff — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.9327°N, 93.2805°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Ball Bluff

DNR Fish Surveys

Largemouth Bass

Pumpkinseed

Bluegill

Brook Trout

CNM

LED

Bluntnose Minnow

Rock Bass

Hybrid Sunfish

BNS

Iowa Darter

BCS

Yellow Perch

Johnny Darter

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Walleye

Bowfin

Tullibee (Cisco)

White Sucker

Black Crappie

BIB

Fathead Minnow

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Aitkin Backwoods Farm Supply LLC

Bill's Sportsmans Service

Farm Island Store

Farm Island Store & Off Sale

Glen Store

McGregor Oil

Sather's Gateway Store

Sue’s Bait shop

Nearby Marinas

3K StorageMN on Lake Minnewawa

Aitkin Rental

Farm Island Repair and Marine

FLOE International

Horseshoelakestorage.net

Libby Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near Ball Bluff

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Ball Bluff

Other Lakes in Aitkin County

Aitkin

Anderson

Bachelor

Bass

Bay

Bear

Plan Your Trip to Ball Bluff