Balsam Lake
About Balsam Lake
Balsam Lake is a 221-acre lake near Finland in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5 feet.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Balsam Lake
- 221 acres, up to 18 feet deep, near Finland
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 221 acres
- Max depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 220 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
- 1 carry-in access
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Balsam Lake
Compare Balsam Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Moose Lake
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3.4 miles away
Cramer Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Cramer68 acres
5 miles away
Divide Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella61 acres
5.4 miles away
Ninemile Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Schroeder297 acres
6.3 miles away
Dumbbell Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella406 acres
6.7 miles away
Echo Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Finland42 acres
7.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Balsam Lake?
Balsam Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Finland. It covers 221 acres and reaches 18 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Balsam Lake?
Balsam Lake covers 221 acres with about 2.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Balsam Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Balsam Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Balsam Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Balsam Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Balsam 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.