Ballantyne Lake Fishing guide

Walleye abundance was low during the 2025 survey. Sixteen Walleye were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 2.7 fish/net. Walleye catch rates in gill nets have been below 1.0 fish/net in every survey conducted on Lake Ballantyne since 1992 with the exception of 2003. Walleyes sampled in gill nets averaged 13.6 inches and ranged from 8.9 to 20.3 inches. Four year classes were present, 2019 and 2021-2023. The age-3 (2022) year class made up sixty-nine percent of the sample. Trap nets yielded two Walleyes (0.3 fish/net), these fish were 13.7, and 15.4 inches in length. As part of the surplus stocking plan, fingerlings, yearlings and adults have been stocked into Lake Ballantyne in recent years.

Adult Yellow Perch abundance has been low throughout the survey history on Lake Ballantyne. The survey conducted in 2025 was no exception, with gill nets yielding 5.8 fish/net. This catch rate, however, was the second highest recorded on Lake Ballantyne since 1992. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5.4 to 6.6 inches and averaged 5.8 inches.

Bluegill abundance in Lake Ballantyne had remained relatively stable since 1992. The 2025 catch rate of 16.9/trap net was less than the historic average of 31.7/net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.1 to 8.5 inches and averaged 6.6 inches. Otoliths and scales were taken for aging. Bluegills collected ranged in age from 2 to 8 years of age. The most abundant group was the 2022 year-class (age-3). Bluegills reached 6.2 inches at age four, indicating slow to moderate growth.

Black Crappie abundance in Lake Ballantyne has been relatively high in the past three surveys; 22.3 fish/gill net in 2009, 17.8 fish/gill net in 2014 and 15.2 fish/gill net in 2019. In 2025 that number dropped closer to the long term average (9.8/net) with a catch rate of 7.5/ gill net. Black Crappie collected in gill nets ranged in length from 4.1 to 9.7 inches and averaged 6.6 inches, indicating a small size structure. Black Crappie were also collected in trap nets at a rate of 1.1 fish/net. Black Crappies were aged using scales and otoliths. These fish ranged from age-2 to age-12 with 9 age classes present. The youngest four age groups were each represented well, indicating consistent recruitment of Black Crappie. White Crappie are also present in Lake Ballantyne. The 2025 gill net catch rate was 7.8 fish/net, which ranged from 5.9 to 10.0 inches and averaged 6.8 inches in length.

Northern Pike abundance has varied from 0.0 fish/gill net in 1995 to 11.3 fish/gill net in 2000. The 2025 catch rate of 5.0 fish/gill net was greater than the long-term lake average (3.8 fish/gill net). The length of Northern Pike ranged from 18.8 to 34.7 inches and averaged 23.5 inches. The Lake Ballantyne Northern Pike population is sustained through natural recruitment.

The sampling gears typically used in surveys do not effectively capture adult Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass were sampled using electrofishing in 2025. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 45 fish per hour. The Largemouth Bass sampled ranged in length from 3.5 inches to 19.5 inches averaging 10.3 inches. A population estimate of Largemouth Bass was also conducted in the spring of 2025. This produced an estimate of 1,500 Largemouth Bass over 8.0 inches in Lake Ballantyne.

Additional species collected in gill and trap nets in low abundance included Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, and Freshwater Drum.

-Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist