Balm Lake

How big is Balm Lake?

How deep is Balm Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Balm Lake?

What are the closest cities to Balm Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Balm 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 Balm Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Balm Lake

Are there boat launches on Balm Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Balm Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Balm Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Balm 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?

Balm Lake is a 537-acre lake with a maximum depth of 33 feet located 25 miles northwest of the city of Bemidji. A public water access with concrete ramp and parking for 10 trucks with trailers is located on the northeast corner of the lake off County Highway 32. Currently there is a special regulation for Largemouth Bass consisting of a protected slot limit from 14 to 20 inches with 1 fish allowed over 20 inches. Statewide regulations apply to all other species. Balm Lake is managed primarily for Bluegill, Walleye, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. This report outlines findings in the most recent standard survey in the summer of 2023.

Overall lengths of Largemouth Bass ranged from over 5 to just short of 18 inches. The gill-net catch in particular had a rate of 8 bass/net which is substantially higher than most lakes in the area. Reproduction appears to be consistently successful due to the number of year classes represented in the survey. Exceptionally high bass abundance has been cause for concern and was possibly impacting growth rates so the protected slot was relaxed from 12-20 to 14-20 inches in 2018 to allow for more harvest opportunity of small to medium sized bass.

The 2023 Bluegill trap-net catch rate of 17 fish is average compared to similar Minnesota lakes. Bluegill over 9 inches in length were captured in the survey with a very good portion of the catch achieving lengths over 8 inches.

Balm Lake is planned for walleye fingerling stocking every other year, but recently has had older fish stocked as well.The Walleye gill-net catch rate was just over 6 fish/net in 2023 which placed it in the upper range of catch rates for similar lakes. Walleye had a good average size of 14.7 inches in length and 1.1 lbs./fish. The largest Walleye captured was over 25 inches in length.

Northern Pike are not overly abundant in Balm Lake but many achieve quality sizes. The 2023 gill-net catch rate of just under 3 fish per net was below the normal range of catch rates for similar lakes. Northern Pike had a good average size of 24.5 inches and fish over 33 inches in length were captured in this survey.

Black Crappie catch rates are rarely high in mid-summer surveys but a decent number were captured in deeper net sets with lengths recorded up to nearly 11 inches. The catch rate of almost 6 fish/gill net in those sets was much higher than similar area lakes.

Other species of fish captured in the 2023 survey were Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Perch.

What is the average air temp for Balm Lake?

Are there any state parks near Balm Lake?