Ball Club Lake

How big is Ball Club Lake?

How deep is Ball Club Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Ball Club Lake?

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

Ball Club Lake

Are there boat launches on Ball Club Lake?

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Are there places to eat and drink near Ball Club Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Ball Club Lake?

Ball Club Lake is a large, mesotrophic lake near Ball Club, Minnesota. The lake is in ecological lake class 22 and is in the Mississippi River watershed. Ball Club Lake has a surface area of 3,936 acres, a littoral area of 984 acres, a maximum depth of 85 feet and a Secchi transparency of 11.5 feet (average from 2008 MN PCA data). There are four inlets to Ball Club Lake and its outlet is the Ball Club River, which flows to the Mississippi River.

The fisheries lake management plan (LMP) was last revised in 2008. Walleye and Northern Pike were the primary management species and Lake Whitefish and Black Crappie were secondary species. Long range goals were to increase the Walleye gill net catch to 4.0 per net; maintain a Northern Pike fishery with a gill net catch of 6.0 per net and maintain a crappie catch of 1.0 per trap net. The Leech Lake Division of Resource Management stocked Walleye fry in alternate years and excess Walleye fry produced by the Grand Rapids hatchery from the Cut Foot Sioux egg take were stocked when available. The Leech Lake Division of Resource Management also stocked Lake Whitefish fingerlings on an annual basis.

A population assessment was conducted in August of 2014 to evaluate the status of the fish community. This assessment consisted of 15 standard gill nets, 1 special deep water gill net targeting Tullibee, and 15 trap nets.

Northern Pike were the most common fish in the gill net sample. The catch was within the typical range for similar lakes, typical for Ball Club Lake, and met the 2008 LMP goal. Past sampling has typically resulted in a moderate to poor size structure. Length in 2014 ranged from 13.5 to 29.5 inches and averaged 21.3 inches. Seven year classes were present (ages 1-6 and 8) and recruitment appeared consistent. Growth was near the statewide average as pike averaged nearly 24 inches by age 6.

Yellow Perch were captured at low rate compared to similar lakes and the lowest catch reported for Ball Club Lake. Perch abundance appears to have declined. Perch catch averaged 31.2 per gill net in the four assessments from 1978 to 1993 but have steadily declined, averaging only 10.6 per net in the last three assessments. Perch were generally too small to interest anglers as length ranged from 5.0 to 11.6 inches and averaged 6.8 inches. Perch are an important prey species and declining perch abundance may impact Walleye abundance.

Walleye were captured at a low rate compared to similar lakes and below average for Ball Club. It should be noted that gill net catches from Ball Club has typically been near low compared to lakes with similar habitats. Walleye length ranged from 8.0 to 23.2 inches and averaged 13.6 inches. Walleye populations often exhibit irregular recruitment, resulting in dominant year classes, shifting age and size structures, which may result in inconsistent angler success. Age analysis identified 7 year classes (age 1-7) and 40% of the sample belonged to the 2011 year class. Interestingly, 2011 was the only year in which fry were not stocked. Growth was near the statewide average for ages 1-5 as Walleye averaged 18.8 inches by age 5.

The Tullibee is an important prey species associated with the production of large predators, such as Northern Pike. Tullibees are often difficult to sample because of their pelagic habitat preference. A special deep water gill net resulted in 64 Tullibee, suggesting good abundance. Captured Tullibee ranged from 8.0 to 14.6 inches and averaged 10.2 inches in length. Past samples documented the presence of the tapeworm, Triaenophorus. Tapeworms were common in Tullibee in the 2014 sample and was detected in 83% of sampled fish.

Black Crappies were captured at typical rate for the lake type. The crappie population exhibited a quality size structure, as crappie ranged from 6.5 to 13.6 inches and averaged 8.9 inches. Black Cappie populations often exhibit irregular recruitment resulting in dominant year classes, shifting age and size structures, and inconsistent angler success. Only four year classes were present, indicating inconsistent recruitment. Growth was fast as crappie typically exceeded 12 inches by age 6.

Other species captured included Bluegill, Bowfin, Rock Bass, and White Sucker.

Ball Club supports invasive purple loosestrife. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

What is the average air temp for Ball Club Lake?

Are there any state parks near Ball Club Lake?