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38-acre lake near Hubbard County. The lake tops out around 40 ft. The depth chart comes from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1972, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map). Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
The drawn water covers 38 acres wrapped in 1.4 miles of bank. A middling shoreline index (1.6) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. About 43% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. The basin spans about 0.5 mi end to end and 0.2 mi across at its widest. It sits in Hubbard County. If the bite dies, Coon is 2 mi to the west.
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 11 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (11 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (11 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: brown trout in 3 to 25 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 12 to 40 ft before dropping to 5 to 35 ft for winter. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 11 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. Plan around after dark and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | night & dawn | Break off the point (11 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 35 ft | dawn | Break off the point (11 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: walleye in 4 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 15 to 35 ft before dropping to 20 to 40 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 39 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in winter. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (14 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (11 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
When the water first warms, green sunfish slide up into 1 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 2 to 12 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 22 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a micro jig or a small grub rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro jig, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro jig, Small grub |
| Fall | 4 to 16 ft | midday | Break off the point (11 ft) | Small jig, Micro crankbait |
| Winter | 8 to 22 ft | midday | Break off the point (11 ft) | Tiny hair jig, Micro spoon |
The chart marks 5 structure features on Blacksmith; the deepest is Deep basin at about 39 ft.
Access data: MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* | Rainbow Trout (yearlings) | 103 | — |
| 2025* | Rainbow Trout (fingerlings) | 5,594 | — |
| 2025* | Rainbow Trout (adults) | 102 | — |
| 2024* | Rainbow Trout (fingerlings) | 5,608 | — |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Blacksmith specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Blacksmith is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1972, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map).
Anglers target rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, green sunfish on Blacksmith.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 39 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in winter. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Blacksmith was most recently stocked 2025 with 103 rainbow trout (yearlings). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Blacksmith is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Coon 2 mi · Skunk 2 mi · Schoolcraft 3 mi · Beauty 5 mi · Island 5 mi · Bad Axe 5 mi · Little Mantrap 5 mi · Pickerel 6 mi · Mantrap (West Arm) 6 mi · Paine 6 mi · Eagle 6 mi · Kane 6 mi
See how Blacksmith stacks up: best walleye lakes in Minnesota · best rainbow trout lakes in Minnesota · best brown trout lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Hubbard County fishing maps (109 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.