Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 10, 2019
Black Oak Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Black Oak Lake average 10.99 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 10, 2019. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–17 inches. In Stearns County, Minnesota, Black Oak Lake has no letter grade — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Water clarity averages 10.0 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 Black Oak Lake
9 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 Black Oak 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 Black Oak 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 Black Oak Lake average 10.99 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 10, 2019. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–17 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Black Oak Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2019-06-10 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 44.04 | 0.07 lb |
| Black Crappie | 23.32 | 0.17 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 10.99 | 1.81 lb |
| Northern Pike | 6.49 | 3.66 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 5.07 | 0.05 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 4.38 | 0.12 lb |
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 Crappie
Largemouth Bass
Northern Pike
From the 2019-06-10 survey
Black Oak Lake is a 119 acre lake located 3 miles south of Melrose in northwestern Stearns County. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet and is classified as Lake Class 42. The watershed (960 acres) is small and mostly row crops (39%) with some forest (28%) and pasture (14%). The DNR owns a public access on the southeast…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Black Oak Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Black OakFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Black Oak (1986)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Black OakFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Black OakPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Black Oak Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Black Oak Lake average 10.99 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 10, 2019. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–17 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 9 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 Black Oak Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Black Oak Lake is dated June 10, 2019. 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 Black Oak Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Black Oak 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 Black Oak Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Black Oak Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 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 Black Oak Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Black Oak Lake
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