Black Duck Lake
About Black Duck Lake
Black Duck Lake is a 1,250-acre lake near Ash Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Black Duck Lake
- 1,250 acres, up to 30 feet deep, near Ash Lake
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 12.4 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,250 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 12.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 498 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 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 18
- Years of record
- 12
- Earliest
- March 19, 2012
- Latest
- May 10, 2022
- Most recent
- May 7, 2023
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Black Duck Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Elephant Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ash Lake728 acres
3.5 miles away
Silver Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cusson129 acres
3.7 miles away
Chub Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ash Lake126 acres
3.9 miles away
Ash Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls690 acres
5.4 miles away
Bell Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cusson110 acres
7.8 miles away
Long Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake478 acres
8.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Black Duck Lake?
Black Duck Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ash Lake. It covers 1,250 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Black Duck Lake?
Black Duck Lake covers 1,250 acres with about 12.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Black Duck Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Black Duck Lake?
Yes. Black Duck Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Black Duck Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Black Duck 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 Black Duck Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Black Duck Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Are there special fishing regulations on Black Duck Lake?
Yes. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Black Duck Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 12 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 19, 2012 and the latest is May 10, 2022.