Blackface Lake
About Blackface Lake
Blackface Lake is a 192-acre lake near Ball Bluff in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.5 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1986.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 20 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Blackface Lake
- 192 acres, up to 18 feet deep, near Ball Bluff
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 192 acres
- Max depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.5 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 170 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1986
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 19
- Years of record
- 20
- Earliest
- March 21, 2012
- Latest
- May 9, 2013
- Most recent
- March 31, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Blackface Lake
Compare Blackface Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Ball Bluff Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Jacobson169 acres
1.6 miles away
Hay Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Jacobson129 acres
2.4 miles away
Vanduse Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Jacobson240 acres
3.2 miles away
Cutaway Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Balsam113 acres
5 miles away
Wakefield Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Jacobson164 acres
5.6 miles away
Savanna Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor101 acres
6.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Blackface Lake?
Blackface Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Ball Bluff. It covers 192 acres and reaches 18 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Blackface Lake?
Blackface Lake covers 192 acres with about 3.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Blackface Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Blackface Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Blackface Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Blackface Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Blackface Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Blackface Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Blackface Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 19, from 20 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 21, 2012 and the latest is May 9, 2013.