Blueberry Lake

How big is Blueberry Lake?

How deep is Blueberry Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Blueberry Lake?

Are there boat launches on Blueberry Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Blueberry Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Blueberry Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Blueberry Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Blueberry Lake?

Blueberry Lake is located in northern Wadena County, three miles northeast of Menahga. Blueberry is a shallow lake with a surface area of 522 acres and a maximum depth of 15.0 feet. The Blueberry and Shell Rivers enter the lake on the southwest shore. The outlet of Blueberry Lake is the Shell River. The water quality in Blueberry can be poor at times, and heavy algae blooms are common during summer months. A high carp population in the lake also stirs up bottom sediments. A state-owned public access is located on the northeast shore at the outlet channel (Shell River). Blueberry Lake provides angling opportunities for walleye, northern pike, panfish, and carp.

The Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Blueberry Lake is in lake class 41. There are no other class 41 lakes in the Park Rapids management area. Portage Lake (3 miles north of Park Rapids) is in lake class 39 and has similar physical and chemical features to Blueberry and can be used for comparison.

Blueberry supports good populations of northern pike and walleye. Northern pike abundance (12.3 pike/gillnet) was the highest recorded for all surveys on Blueberry. Northern pike abundance was also high in the two previous surveys in 1997 and 2002. Sampled NOP had an average length and weight of 22.5 inches and 2.7 pounds, with pike measured up to 32.6 inches. A special regulation was implemented in the spring of 2003 that requires the release of all northern pike from 24.0 to 36.0 inches (protected slot length limit). Future surveys are planned on Blueberry to evaluate the effectiveness of this regulation. Walleye abundance (1.8 walleye/gillnet) was down from recent surveys and below the current management goal of 5 walleye/gillnet. Blueberry Lake is stocked annually with walleye fry in the spring. Special fall electrofishing sampling has shown good survival of stocked fry. Blueberry Lake is shallow and fertile and provides a good forage base of yellow perch and other minnow species for the walleye and northern pike populations. A few yellow perch are an acceptable size for angling, with perch measured up to 11.1 inches.

While not known as a panfish lake, Blueberry does provide fishing opportunities for black crappie and bluegill. Low numbers of panfish are found in Blueberry and the lake is known more for quality than quantity of panfish. Anglers will find black crappie in the 10-12 inch size range and bluegill in the 7-8 inch size range.

Blueberry Lake is one of the very few lakes in this area that has a carp population in high enough numbers to provide bowfishing and angling opportunities.

Other species sampled included high numbers of white sucker and shorthead redhorse and moderate numbers of brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, and bowfin (dogfish). Black bullhead and hybrid sunfish were sampled in low numbers.

What is the average air temp for Blueberry Lake?

Are there any state parks near Blueberry Lake?