Blind Lake

How big is Blind Lake?

How deep is Blind Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Blind Lake?

What are the closest cities to Blind Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Blind Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Blind Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Blind Lake

Are there boat launches on Blind Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Blind Lake?

Blind Lake is located approximately 8 miles north of Aitkin. The lake is 370 acres and with a maximum depth of 17 feet, nearly all of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. The lake is known to experience winterkill during severe winters with some of the last known being partial winterkills during the winter of 1995-96, 2012-2013 and 2017-2018. Partial winterkills are likely to have occurred in other years too, but were never reported or documented. Winterkills are not necessarily a bad thing and historically were fairly common in Minnesota. In recent years, winters have not been as harsh and winterkills have not been as prevalent on a statewide scale. Partial winterkills are usually good for lakes particularly when it comes to Bluegills. Following a winterkill there are typically enough survivors to repopulate the lake and growth rates tend to be very good for some time. As densities increase with the addition of each new year class, the survival decreases and growth rates slow. The lake then winterkills again, thereby decreasing density, and the whole process of high survival and fast growth repeats itself. When these lakes go several years without a winterkill, and they do, they then provide for excellent fisheries.

Development is relatively light with only 4.6 homes/cabins per shoreline mile, most of which are located along the east side of the lake. One seasonal campground exists on the northwest end of the lake. Shallow water substrates consist primarily of sand, muck, and detritus, though areas of gravel, boulders, rubble, and silt are present as well. The aquatic plant community is relatively diverse with 36 species present and is integral to maintaining good water quality as well as maintaining healthy fish populations. Emergent plants such as bulrush are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and provide essential spawning habitat for bass and panfish species. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species.

The Northern Pike catch was above average when compared to similar lakes at 10.3/gill net in 2018. Past catches have ranged from 7 to 13.7/gill net with an average of 10.9/gill net. Average length and weight were 21.9" and 2.3 lbs with 16% measuring at least 24".

Yellow Perch are always an important forage species for Northern Pike and they were present in good numbers the last time the lake was surveyed with a catch rate of 37.9/gill net which was the highest catch to date . However in 2018, Yellow Perch were down to 8/gill net which is the lowest catch on record.

Bluegill seem to have been affected by the winterkill and were caught in lower numbers than usual for this lake at 8.9/trap net. Black Crappie numbers were not affected as much by the winterkill and were caught in average numbers for the lake at 10.4/gill net. Size of each species was respectable with 40% of Bluegills measuring at least 7" and 26% of all crappies measuring at least 8".

What is the average air temp for Blind Lake?

Are there any state parks near Blind Lake?