---
type: lake
name: "Balm Lake"
county: "Beltrami"
nearest_town: "Solway"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 537
max_depth_ft: 33
latitude: 47.78914
longitude: -95.11346
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "04032900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/balm-lake
---

# Balm Lake

Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Solway

- **Surface Area**: 537 acres
- **Max Depth**: 33 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Balm Lake is a 537-acre lake near Solway in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 33 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.7 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to largemouth and smallmouth bass, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass**: All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 19
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2005-04-14
- **Latest**: 2008-05-03

## Nearby Lakes

- [Dellwater Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/dellwater-lake) - 1.4 miles, 199 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/moose-lake-debs) - 2 miles, 132 acres
- [Sylvia Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/sylvia-lake) - 3.1 miles, 181 acres
- [Myrtle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/myrtle-lake) - 3.3 miles, 118 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/island-lake) - 4 miles, 424 acres
- [Clearwater Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/clearwater-lake) - 5.2 miles, 999 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.78914,-95.11346)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=04032900)
- [All lakes in Beltrami County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/balm-lake)*