Black Duck River Fishing
St. Louis County, designated trout stream.
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Getting to know the Black Duck River
Across St. Louis County, the Black Duck River winds along as a river. GIS lines trace roughly 13 miles of it in the state. The nearest incorporated city is Orr, about 16 miles from its midpoint.
12.9 miles or so are designated trout water.
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| Rule | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
Expect stamp and one-line rules on the Black Duck River. Statewide stream trout seasons apply.
DNR designated trout stream layer and special regulations layer; 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All trout streams.
Accesses on the Black Duck River
No public access point is mapped on the Black Duck River; anglers walk in from road crossings and public land.
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
DNR limits on the Black Duck River
Nothing beyond statewide limits is posted for the Black Duck River.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Close by Black Duck River
Lakes a short haul from Black Duck River
- Ash Lake, St. Louis County6 miles
- Chub Lake, St. Louis County6 miles
- Black Duck Lake6 miles
- Long Lake near Orr, St. Louis County7 miles
Bait counters serving Black Duck River
- Cold Springs Incfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 4 miles
- Kab Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Kabetogama, 12 miles
- Norman's One Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 16 miles
- Voyageur Tacklebait and tackle shop, St. Louis, 19 miles
- Handberg's Marinemarine supply store, Crane Lake, 19 miles
Places to bunk near Black Duck River
- Nett Lake15 miles
- Orr16 miles
- Ranier31 miles
- International Falls32 miles
Creeks beside the Black Duck River
- Ninemile Creek3 miles
- Ash River4 miles
- Pelican River, St. Louis County12 miles
- Rat Root River16 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Black Duck River
Spinning and baitcasting picks for the Black Duck River
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Species in the nets at Black Duck River
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Black Duck River, questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds the Black Duck River?
DNR route lines put it in St. Louis County.
Is the Black Duck River designated trout water?
It carries the trout designation over about 12.9 miles.
Is there a USGS gauge on the Black Duck River?
No USGS gauge matches it.
Where do I launch on the Black Duck River?
None is mapped.
Which DNR rules apply on the Black Duck River?
Statewide limits apply.
Can visitors fish the Black Duck River?
Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Where are minnows sold near the Black Duck River?
Drive 4 miles to reach Cold Springs Inc.
What town makes a base on the Black Duck River?
Orr, about 16 miles from the midpoint by air.
Which fish swim in the Black Duck River?
Records point to rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout.
Put the Black Duck River on this season’s list
Check the gauge and the regulations before the trip.