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Black Island Lake

Balsam, Minnesota — Itasca County.

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112Surface acres

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 90771571).

Location & fast facts

Where Black Island Lake is in Minnesota

The red circle marks Black Island Lake.

Fast facts

About Black Island Lake

  • County: Itasca
  • Town: Balsam
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 177 mi from Minneapolis and 84 mi from Duluth, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.

Fishing in Minnesota

Official Minnesota DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Fishing. Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass and Black crappie
  • Camping. 12 campgrounds within 15 mi (list)

Watch for

  • Cold water. Water stays cold well into late spring and turns cold again in fall. Wear a life jacket when paddling in the shoulder seasons.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official lake survey (Minnesota DNR)

59 ftMaximum depth
117Acres (state figure)

Fish species found in Minnesota DNR lake surveys: Black crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Yellow perch.

Average depth not published.

Shallow (littoral) area: 72 of 117 acres

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources LakeFinder record for Black Island Lake (DOW 31041600), with lake survey reports, depth maps and stocking history. Acreage here can differ slightly from our mapped outline.

Lake map

Black Island Lake shoreline

¼ mileN

No public access sites are listed for this water in the Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons) data.

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 90771571), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Black Island Lake

We found 12 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Black Island Lake. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

6 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Minnesota

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (47.5266, -93.5304). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Black Island Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Black Island Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Black Island Lake

    How big is Black Island Lake?

    Black Island Lake covers about 112 acres in Balsam, Minnesota (Itasca County).

    How deep is Black Island Lake?

    The maximum recorded depth is 59 feet, according to the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder.

    What fish are in Black Island Lake?

    Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lists Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill and Yellow perch.

    Are there campgrounds near Black Island Lake?

    Yes. We list 12 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles.

    What towns are on Black Island Lake?

    Black Island Lake touches Balsam in Itasca County, Minnesota.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Black Island Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Minnesota lakes & ponds · All waters in Balsam