---
type: lake
name: "Balsam Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Finland"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 221
max_depth_ft: 18
latitude: 47.53836
longitude: -91.20212
lake_score: 24
dnr_lake_id: "38024500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/balsam-lake
---

# Balsam Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Finland

- **Surface Area**: 221 acres
- **Max Depth**: 18 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 24/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Activities

Paddling

## Amenities

Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Nearby Lakes

- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/moose-lake-cramer) - 3.4 miles, 180 acres
- [Cramer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/cramer-lake) - 5 miles, 68 acres
- [Divide Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/divide-lake) - 5.4 miles, 61 acres
- [Ninemile Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/ninemile-lake) - 6.3 miles, 297 acres
- [Dumbbell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/dumbbell-lake) - 6.7 miles, 406 acres
- [Echo Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/echo-lake) - 7.2 miles, 42 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.53836,-91.20212)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38024500)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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