Minnesota · DNR survey data
Balm Lake
Balm Lake covers 537 acres in Beltrami County, running to 33 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2025. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2025Excellent numbers6.1per gill net14"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 68 fish
2023Lengths measured · 142 fish
2018Lengths measured · 223 fish
2013Lengths measured · 74 fish
2001Largemouth bassFair numbers28.5per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 85 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 85 fish
2023Lengths measured · 691 fish
2018Lengths measured · 170 fish
2013Lengths measured · 33 fish
2001Northern pikeJust a few2.8per gill net23"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2023Lengths measured · 25 fish
2018Lengths measured · 31 fish
2013Lengths measured · 67 fish
2001BluegillJust a few17per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 374 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 374 fish
2023Lengths measured · 516 fish
2018Lengths measured · 954 fish
2013Lengths measured · 1034 fish
2001CrappieJust a few1.1per trap net9"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 63 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 63 fish
2023Lengths measured · 54 fish
2018Lengths measured · 155 fish
2013Lengths measured · 124 fish
2001Yellow perchFair numbers3per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 39 fish
2023Lengths measured · 27 fish
2018Lengths measured · 88 fish
2013Lengths measured · 967 fish
2001Rock bassGood numbers1.2per trap net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 14 fish
2023Lengths measured · 4 fish
2018Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2013Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 35 fish
2001Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 139 yearlings · 351 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,704 fingerlings · 432 yearlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 15,040 fingerlings · 203 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 16,939 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,179 yearlings · 82 adults |
Recent reports
Balm Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Balm Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Balm Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Dellwater Lake · 199 ac · 1.5 mi
- Moose Lake · 132 ac · 1.9 mi
- Island Lake · 424 ac · 4 mi
- Clearwater Lake · 999 ac · 5.2 mi
- Sandy Lake · 103 ac · 5.5 mi
- Bagley Lake · 97 ac · 5.9 mi
- Deer Lake · 298 ac · 9.9 mi
- Falk Lake · 73 ac · 10 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Balm Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Balm Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Balm Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2025) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Balm Lake have a public access?
Yes. Balm Lake has one public access site: Balm Lake (trailer launch).
Is Balm Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
When was Balm Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Balm Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .