Boulder Lake

How big is Boulder Lake?

How deep is Boulder Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Boulder Lake?

What are the closest cities to Boulder Lake?

Are there boat launches on Boulder Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Boulder Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Boulder Lake?

Boulder Lake is located in southern Hubbard County, 1.5 miles northeast of Dorset. Boulder has a surface area of 340 acres and a maximum depth of 28 feet. A public access with a concrete ramp is located on the west shore. Boulder has primarily a sand bottom with scattered rock and gravel on the north shore. Hardstem bulrush stands fringe the north shoreline and provide important fish habitat, particularly for bass and panfish. Boulder provides fishing opportunities for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Boulder is in lake class 31. Class 31 lakes generally have hard water, and have regularly shaped shorelines. Other class 31 lakes in the Park Rapids area include Second, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Crow Wing Lakes, Duck, Evergreen, Hattie, Hinds, Shingobee, Trip, and Lower Twin.

Walleye abundance (5.7 walleye/gillnet) was near the current management goal of 8.0 walleye/gillnet. Walleye abundance in past surveys has generally fluctuated around the management goal. Sampled walleye had an average length of 16.2 inches with fish measured up to 26.1 inches. The walleye population in Boulder is being maintained through a combination of natural reproduction and walleye stocking by the DNR. Boulder is stocked with walleye fingerlings during even numbered years. Yellow perch, an important forage species for walleye, were sampled in moderate numbers. Yellow perch were small in size, with few fish of an acceptable size for angling. Northern pike were sampled in moderate numbers (7.8 pike/gillnet), within the range "typical" for this lake class and similar to past surveys. Sampled northern pike had an average length and weight of 22.5 inches and 2.5 pounds, with pike measured up to 31.2 inches. Both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are present in Boulder, with largemouth bass the more abundant of the two species. Boulder has good water quality, submerged and emergent vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass and panfish. Boulder has a low to moderate panfish population, but can provide some good fishing, especially for crappies. Black crappie abundance was up from past surveys, but the sample was dominated by smaller crappie in the 7-8 inch size range, with low numbers of black crappie over 10 inches in length. This strong year class of black crappie should provide good fishing in a few years. Anglers will find bluegill and pumpkinseed in the 6 inch size range, with few fish over 7 inches in length.

What is the average air temp for Boulder Lake?

Are there any state parks near Boulder Lake?