Albert Lea Lake Fishing
Freeborn County, 2,669 acres, 5.5 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Albert Lea Lake: Iulus Ascanius at English Wikipedia, Public domain
First look at Albert Lea Lake
The DNR lists Albert Lea Lake as a lake covering 2,669 acres in Freeborn County. Soundings put the deepest water at 5.5 feet, with an average of 3.5 feet. About 3 miles separate the lake from Albert Lea. Surveys come from the Waterville area fisheries office.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and channel catfish. Anglers launch from 3 public water accesses. The newest catch data come from a standard survey on June 14, 2021. Walleye numbers, 16.67 per gill net, landed above the range the DNR expects (3.2-15.3). The DNR ice-out median is March 31 (35 records).
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These rows come from the standard survey on June 14, 2021; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 50 | 16.67 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.48 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.38 | 0.3-1.7 | 1.15 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.67 | 1.2-7.8 | 4.59 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 55 | 18.33 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.14 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 38 | 4.75 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 39 | 13 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.04 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 195 | 24.38 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.04 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 59 | 7.38 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.04 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Channel catfish | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.33 | 3.16 | ||
| Channel catfish | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.12 | 1.74 | ||
| White crappie | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.25 | 0.5-15.9 | 0.1 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.12 | 0.04 |
Gill net totals, Albert Lea Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The Albert Lea Lake fishery in the DNR report
“Albert Lea Lake is a 2,654-acre lake located in Freeborn County near the city of Albert Lea.”
“A city-maintained public access is located on the northwest corner of the lake.”
“Two DNR-maintained public accesses are located on the south side of the lake at Saint Nicholas Landing along County Road 19 and within Myre Big Island State Park.”
“A county-maintained public access is located near the inlet channel along Frank Avenue.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Albert Lea Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on Albert Lea Lake
- Albert Lea Lake, Frank Hall Park Access2 ramps, 24 trailer stalls, 1 dock, City of Albert Lea
- Albert Lea Lake, Myre Big Island SPK Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Albert Lea Lake, St. Nicholas Landing Access1 ramp, 7 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Fishing Albert Lea Lake from shore
- Albert Lea Lake Fishing Pier, Myre-Big Island State Parkfishing pier, DNR Division of Parks and Trails, Myre-Big Island State Park, Myre-Big Island State Park
- Albert Lea Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Albert Lea
Accesses a short drive from Albert Lea Lake
- Fountain Lake, Brookside Landing AccessFountain, 4 miles northwest
- Pickerel Lake Access near Albert LeaPickeral, 4 miles west
- Fountain Lake, North Edgewater Bay AccessFountain, 5 miles northwest
- Upper Twin Lake AccessUpper Twin, 6 miles southwest
- Lower Twin Lake AccessLower Twin, 8 miles southwest
- Bear Lake Access near Twin LakesBear, 10 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of Albert Lea Lake
Since 2015, 3 Secchi readings have been recorded on Albert Lea Lake.
The earliest ice-out on record for Albert Lea Lake came March 5, 2000; the latest, April 18, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Albert Lea Lake elevation
The Albert Lea Lake level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish on record for Albert Lea Lake
Species for Albert Lea Lake come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on Albert Lea Lake
The statewide table below is every limit that applies on Albert Lea Lake.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | 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 |
| 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 |
Map position places Albert Lea Lake in the Southern Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Albert Lea Lake compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Lea Lake | 2,669 | 5.5 | 3 | 16.67 | |
| Fountain Lake, Freeborn County | 4 miles northwest | 522 | 14 | 2 | 6.5 |
| Pickeral Lake, Freeborn County | 4 miles west | 588 | 6 | 1 | |
| White Lake, Freeborn County | 5 miles west | 168 | 4 | 0 | |
| School Section Lake, Freeborn County | 6 miles northwest | 68 | 4.1 | 0 | |
| Bear Lake, Freeborn County | 11 miles southwest | 1,033 | 6 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by Albert Lea Lake
Lakes a short haul from Albert Lea Lake
- Fountain Lake, Freeborn County4 miles northwest
- Pickeral Lake, Freeborn County4 miles west
- White Lake, Freeborn County5 miles west
- School Section Lake, Freeborn County6 miles northwest
- Bear Lake, Freeborn County11 miles southwest
Bait counters serving Albert Lea Lake
- The Dam Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Albert Lea, 2 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Austin, 17 miles
Places to bunk near Albert Lea Lake
- Albert Lea3 miles
- Hayward4 miles
- Glenville5 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Albert Lea Lake
- Freeborn Countyseat: Albert Lea
Spinning and baitcasting picks for Albert Lea Lake
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Species in the nets at Albert Lea Lake
Photo: Robert Colletta, Public domain
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Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Answers before you launch on Albert Lea Lake
Where does Albert Lea Lake sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in Freeborn County, managed from the Waterville fisheries office, about 3 miles from Albert Lea.
What acreage does LakeFinder give Albert Lea Lake?
2,669 surface acres, 5.5 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on Albert Lea Lake?
The DNR layer lists 3 public accesses; Albert Lea Lake, Frank Hall Park Access is a good start.
Is Albert Lea Lake a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and white crappie, per DNR surveys.
Is Albert Lea Lake above normal for walleye?
A standard survey on June 14, 2021; walleye ran 16.67 per gill net.
Is Albert Lea Lake under experimental regulations?
Statewide limits, Southern Zone.
Do I need a Minnesota license for Albert Lea Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does Albert Lea Lake freeze and thaw?
Around March 31 in most years; March 17, 2025 last time.
Where can I buy minnows near Albert Lea Lake?
Closest on our list: The Dam Bait Shop, 2 miles.
Hook up the trailer for Albert Lea Lake
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.