Blue Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in Blue Lake?

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Are there boat launches on Blue Lake?

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Blue Lake is located seven miles northeast of Park Rapids in Hubbard County. Blue Lake has a surface area of 336 acres and a maximum depth of 84 feet. There is a state-owned public access with a concrete ramp located on the northwest shore of the lake. Blue Lake is known for its exceptional water clarity and sandy shorelines. Blue Lake has a very good Walleye population and gives anglers a chance at a trophy sized fish. Rainbow Trout are stocked in the lake and can provide a bonus fishery.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Blue Lake is in lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are characterized by having hard water, deep basins, and very high water clarity. Other area lakes in this same classification include Boot, East Crooked, and Eleventh Crow Wing.

Blue Lake has an excellent Walleye population, both in terms of numbers and size of fish. Walleye abundance has been high the past several surveys. Good numbers of Walleye in the 14 to 18 inch size range were sampled with fish measured up to 31.4 inches. An abundant Tullibee (Cisco) population provides an excellent forage base for the growth of larger Walleye. However, Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye were sampled in low numbers compared to past surveys.

Blue Lake is stocked in the fall with Rainbow Trout fingerlings during even numbered years. Four Rainbow Trout were sampled in the survey and ranged in length from 11.5 to 17.7 inches. Rainbow Trout stocking began in 1984 and trout have been sampled in low numbers in past surveys. Blue Lake was open to winter angling in 2007. Angler reports and success for Rainbow Trout have been limited for both the open water and ice angling season.

While not known for Panfish, Blue Lake does support populations of Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. Anglers will find low to moderate numbers of Black Crappie, with a few larger fish present. A moderate Bluegill and Pumpkinseed populations are present in Blue Lake, however, size of fish run small, with few fish over 7.0 inches sampled.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass populations are also present in Blue Lake in low numbers when compared to surrounding lakes. Largemouth Bass are the more common of the two species, while Smallmouth Bass are present in low numbers.

Present and past surveys have shown very low Northern Pike numbers in Blue Lake. Northern Pike were not sampled in the 2019 survey. While Northern Pike abundance is low, the abundant forage base of Tullibee (Cisco) and White Sucker can produce some big Northern Pike.

Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Blue Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving.

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