Ballantyne

Minnesota DNR staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of Ballantyne Lake on September 3rd, 2025, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. There was a total of 11.85 acres of floating and emergent plants mapped. This consisted of 10.88 acres of emergent dominated plant communities and 0.97 acres of floating leaf plant communities. The following taxa were noted during the survey: Emergent taxa: bulrush (round-stem group) (Schoenoplectus spp.) and cattail (Typha spp.); Floating-leaf taxa: floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and yellow waterlily (Nuphar variegata); and Submerged Taxa: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Illinois pondweed (Potamogeton illinoensis), and large-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius).

Minnesota DNR staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of Ballantyne Lake on September 3rd, 2025, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. There was a total of 11.85 acres of floating and emergent plants mapped. This consisted of 10.88 acres of emergent dominated plant communities and 0.97 acres of floating leaf plant communities. The following taxa were noted during the survey: Emergent taxa: bulrush (round-stem group) (Schoenoplectus spp.) and cattail (Typha spp.); Floating-leaf taxa: floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and yellow waterlily (Nuphar variegata); and Submerged Taxa: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Illinois pondweed (Potamogeton illinoensis), and large-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius).

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ballantyne Lake was conducted on 2 July 2025 by DNR Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 9 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 8 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample 1 station. One station could not be sampled due to heavy vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including Iowa Darter which is a species that are intolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. Ballantyne Lake scored a 41 which exceeds the level for impairment (36) for tool 7 lakes. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Bigmouth Buffalo). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Minnesota River-Mankato Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Green Sunfish, and White Crappie in Ballantyne. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Ballantyne. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Ballantyne has a maximum depth of 58 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ballantyne is from 2025.

Yes — Ballantyne has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

No — Ballantyne has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.