Blind

This survey was conducted on 3/5/2026 to gauge the likelihood of a winterkill occurring on Blind Lake. Winter dissolved oxygen levels were good for Blind Lake and likely tolerable based on this survey with 5.9 ppm below the ice and 1.3 ppm near the bottom. Therefore, it seemed unlikely for any significant winterkill to occur in spring 2026.

This survey was conducted on 3/5/2026 to gauge the likelihood of a winterkill occurring on Blind Lake. Winter dissolved oxygen levels were good for Blind Lake and likely tolerable based on this survey with 5.9 ppm below the ice and 1.3 ppm near the bottom. Therefore, it seemed unlikely for any significant winterkill to occur in spring 2026.

Blind Lake is 304 acres and has a maximum depth of 17 feet. A targeted panfish survey was conducted on 5/7/2025. A total of 129 Bluegill were sampled for a trap net catch rate of 21.5 per net. Bluegill averaged 8.8 inches with fish up to 9.6 inches observed. Fish ranged from 3 to 8 years old with age 6 (2019 year-class) fish absent from the sample. Age 5 fish (2020 year-class) were the most frequent age-class sampled and comprised 56.5 percent of the Bluegill catch. Bluegill averaged 7.9 inches in 4 years and was up from the previous survey in 2018 (6.3 inches in 4 years). Thirty-nine Black Crappie were sampled, resulting in a trap net catch rate of 6.5 per net. Crappie averaged 10.7 inches with fish up to 12.7 inches observed. Fish ranged from 2 to 6 years old with age 3 (2022 year-class) absent from the sample. Age 5 (2020 year-class) Crappie were the most frequent age-class sampled and accounted for 74.4 percent of the Crappie catch. Crappie averaged 9.8 inches in 4 years and were up from other assessments (historical average was 7.6 inches at age 4). Other species observed during the assessment included Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead. The Bigmouth Buffalo that were sampled were the smallest that have been observed in the Aitkin Area at 13.4 and 15.2 inches, which are of juvenile size and indicate Blind Lake is a likely spawning area for Bigmouth Buffalo in this part of the Mississippi River watershed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Blind. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Blind. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Blind has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Blind is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Blind in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

No — Blind has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.