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?

What are the closest cities to 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 located near Ball Club, MN in the Mississippi River watershed. The lake is situated within the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Ball Club Lake has a surface area of 3,936 acres, a maximum depth of 85 feet and clear water. The lake has four inlets and its outlet is the Ball Club River which flows to the Mississippi River.

The fisheries lake management plan (LMP) was last revised in 2015. Walleye and Northern Pike were the primary management species while Black Crappie and Lake Whitefish were considered secondary species. Walleye are actively managed via stocking, most recently with Mississippi strain fingerlings in alternate years. The Leech Lake Division of Resource Management provides half of the quota and DNR Fisheries provides the other half. A targeted survey was conducted in August 2022 to collect updated information on the fishery. The survey utilized 15 standard gill nets and one special deep-water gill net targeting Tullibee.

Northern Pike were the most common fish in the gill-net sample. The catch rate was considered average for the lake and comparable to similar type lakes. Pike ranged from 14.3 to 32.9 inches with an average length of 22.1 inches. Size structure was moderate, with 7% of the sample exceeding 28 inches. Seven year classes (ages 2-7) were represented in the sample, with age 3 fish the most frequently sampled. Growth was considered average with pike averaging 25.8 inches after five years. Ball Club Lake provides good opportunities to catch small to medium-sized pike with an occasional chance at fish exceeding 28 inches.

Walleye catch rates on Ball Club have typically been low compared to similar lakes. In 2022, Walleye were sampled at a catch rate of 2.4/gill net. This catch was below average compared to lakes with similar habitat but typical for Ball Club. Extremely high water levels during the time of the survey may also have affected the catch rate. Size structure was good; sampled Walleye ranged from 10 to 26 inches with a mean length of 17.5 inches. Twenty-three percent of the sample exceeded 20 inches. Nine year classes (ages 2-10) were identified, with 34% of the sample belonging to the 2018 year class (age 4). The contribution of stocking to the population was difficult to evaluate since eight of the previous 10 years were stocked with either fry or fingerlings. Growth was considered average. Walleye averaged 17.8 inches after five years of growth. Angler reports suggest Ball Club Lake provides fair fishing opportunities for Walleye.

The Yellow Perch gill-net catch rate was relatively low compared to similar lakes, but similar to the previous survey on Ball Club. Extremely high water levels were present during the two most recent surveys which may have negatively affected the catches. Perch were generally too small to be of interest to anglers, ranging from 5.2 to 10.5 inches with an average length of 6.4 inches.

The special deep-water gill net captured 57 Tullibee, suggesting an abundant population. Sampled Tullibee ranged from 6.5 to 12.6 inches, with an average length of 8.9 inches. A majority (82%) of fish were infested with the parasite Whitefish Grub (Triaenophorus). Tullibee are an important prey species for predators like Northern Pike and Walleye.

Other species sampled in this survey included Black Crappie, Rock Bass and White Sucker.

Zebra Mussels, an exotic species, are present in Ball Club Lake and the connecting Mississippi River. Zebra Mussels are effective filter feeders and contribute to notably increased water clarity. 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.

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Are there any state parks near Ball Club Lake?