Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest September 3, 2025
Ballantyne Lake FishingDWater-quality grade D
Minnesota DNR surveys at Ballantyne Lake average 11.63 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 3, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 16–16 inches. In Blue Earth County, Minnesota, Ballantyne Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of D. Water clarity averages 2.5 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Ballantyne Lake
16 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Ballantyne Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Ballantyne Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Ballantyne Lake average 11.63 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 3, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 16–16 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Ballantyne Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
15 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-09-03 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 30.80 | 0.18 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 20.59 | 0.48 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 11.63 | 2.25 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 10.64 | — |
| White Crappie | 10.37 | 0.28 lb |
| Spottail Shiner | 7.71 | — |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Black Bullhead
Largemouth Bass
Bluntnose Minnow
From the 2025-09-03 survey
Minnesota DNR staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of Ballantyne Lake on September 3rd, 2025, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. There was a total of 11.85 acres of floating and emergent plants mapped. This consisted of 10.88 acres of emergent…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Ballantyne Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BallantyneFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BallantyneFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BallantynePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Ballantyne Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Ballantyne Lake average 11.63 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 3, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 16–16 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 16 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Ballantyne Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Ballantyne Lake is dated September 3, 2025. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Ballantyne Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Ballantyne Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Ballantyne Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Ballantyne Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Ballantyne Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Ballantyne Lake
Planning a trip to Ballantyne Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Ballantyne Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.