Minnesota Fishing Guide

Lower Balsam

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31024700

104 Surveys
258.52
Acres
29 ft
Max Depth
0
16
Fish Species
9
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 4.3 — 6
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 11.0 — 22

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 3.3 — 0.26 lb 20
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 8.7 — — 12
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 7.0 (normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.19 lb 56
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 4.5 — — 9
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.9 — 0.21 lb 27
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 15.2 (normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.23 lb 137
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 4.2 — 0.10 lb 21
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 4.8 (below normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.11 lb 19
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 3.3 (below normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.13 lb 13

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.81 lb 8
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 1.15 lb 9
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.46 lb 1
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.50 lb 1
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.97 lb 4
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.3 – 9.8 1.00 lb 2

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 0.6 5.25 lb 3
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.3 3.01 lb 3
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.4 – 1.3 4.50 lb 5

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 12.5 (above normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.33 lb 75
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.12 lb 10
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 5.1 (above normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.16 lb 36
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.21 lb 9
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 24.8 (above normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.15 lb 124
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 2.5 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.10 lb 10
1973-08-15 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.25 lb 2
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.36 lb 7

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 3.0 — — 6
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 1.3 – 5.0 1.81 lb 8
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 1.1 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 2.38 lb 8
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 2.20 lb 1
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.7 3.50 lb 1
1973-08-15 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 2.00 lb 2
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 0.7 1.25 lb 2

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 3.6 — 5

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 1.5 — 3
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 17.4 — 24

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — — 1
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.4 4.74 lb 1
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 2.10 lb 16
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 2.23 lb 18
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.4 2.87 lb 1
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 1.95 lb 15
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.4 2.50 lb 1
1973-08-15 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 1.50 lb 2
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.4 2.50 lb 12

Shorthead Redhorse

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 2.97 lb 4
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 2.92 lb 2
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.8 3.53 lb 1
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 2.00 lb 1
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 1.8 2.75 lb 2

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 0.5 — 1
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 15.9 — 22

LES

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 2.2 — 3

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 2.9 — — 4
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.11 lb 3
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 1.5 — — 3
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.18 lb 2
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.8 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.18 lb 16
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.12 lb 5
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 1.8 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.14 lb 7

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 0.5 — — 1
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.9 0.60 lb 4
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 3.6 — — 5
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.15 lb 2
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.9 0.56 lb 4
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.45 lb 2
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.27 lb 3
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.50 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 2.0 — — 4
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 3.4 – 43.6 0.11 lb 3
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 16.7 — — 23
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.07 lb 1
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 1.4 (below normal) 3.4 – 43.6 0.10 lb 10
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.17 lb 6
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 2.8 (below normal) 3.4 – 43.6 0.14 lb 14

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 7.5 — — 15
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 1.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.7 1.36 lb 11
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 7.3 — — 10
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 1.65 lb 3

BST

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 1.5 — 3

Burbot

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 6.5 — 9

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 6.2 (normal) 3.5 – 10.5 2.03 lb 37
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — — 1
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 4.58 lb 2
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 7.1 (normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.93 lb 50
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.2 — 1.57 lb 11
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 4.6 (normal) 3.5 – 10.5 3.58 lb 23
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 2.20 lb 4
1973-08-15 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 3.5 – 10.5 2.28 lb 9
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 1.8 — 4.36 lb 7

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 2.9 — 4

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — 1

Logperch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — 1

PGS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-08 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — 2

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 0.5 – 4.8 1.94 lb 17
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.6 (normal) 0.5 – 4.8 1.03 lb 25
1985-08-13 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 0.5 – 4.8 1.51 lb 11
1973-08-15 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 0.5 – 4.8 1.33 lb 6

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1999-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.1 1.18 lb 2
1999-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 1.46 lb 1
1985-08-13 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.4 – 2.1 1.10 lb 2
1973-08-15 Standard trap nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.1 1.22 lb 9

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

Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-2222

★ 5

Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-2222

★ 3.7

Diamond Custom Rods

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4108

★ 5

Fred's Live Bait & Tackle

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-8710

★ 4.8

Frontier Sports

Marcell, MN

(218) 832-3901

★ 4.6

Glen's Army & Navy Store

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-1201

★ 4.3

God's Country Outfitters

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-9866

★ 4.4

Hollywood Bait

Coleraine, MN

(218) 245-1660

★ 4.5

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids, MN

★ 3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-0351

★ 4.3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

Marine Clinic

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4281

★ 4.9

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 812-8888

NorthStar Barge

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 269-0566

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Lower Balsam

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Lower Balsam.

Anchor Inn Resort
Fishing Resort Spring Lake

(218) 659-2718
Birch Haven Resort Closed
Fishing Resort Bovey

(218) 910-9707
Bowen Lodge
Fishing Resort Deer River

(218) 246-8707
Loon Point Resort
Fishing Resort Bigfork

(218) 245-1470

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Lower Balsam. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadBurbotLargemouth BassNorthern PikeNorthern SunfishPumpkinseedRock BassShorthead RedhorseTullibee (Cisco)WalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Lower Balsam

Bro's Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 340-6051
Early Bird Fishing Guide Jeff Sundin
Fishing Guide

(218) 245-9858
Grand Rapids Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 259-7140
Minnesota Fishing Connections
Fishing Guide

(218) 259-2628
MN Fishing Pros
Fishing Guide

(218) 244-2517
Moo Moo's Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 398-7593

View all 9 guides →

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Alice

40.62 acres

Allen

57.22 acres

Amen

214.65 acres

Anderson

294.52 acres

Ann

95.53 acres

Antler

233.99 acres

Plan Your Trip to Lower Balsam

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