---
type: lake
name: "Balsam Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Taconite"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 716
max_depth_ft: 37
latitude: 47.53374
longitude: -93.41306
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "31025900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/balsam-lake
---

# Balsam Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Taconite

- **Surface Area**: 716 acres
- **Max Depth**: 37 ft
- **Shoreline**: 10.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Balsam Lake is a 716-acre lake near Taconite in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.4 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## 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**: 14
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [King Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/king-lake) - 1.3 miles, 311 acres
- [Barwise Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/barwise-lake) - 1.7 miles, 92 acres
- [Scrapper Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/scrapper-lake) - 1.8 miles, 172 acres
- [Sawyer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/sawyer-lake) - 3 miles, 137 acres
- [Cutaway Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/cutaway-lake) - 3.3 miles, 307 acres
- [Burrows Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/burrows-lake) - 3.5 miles, 306 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.53374,-93.41306)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31025900)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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