Ida Lake, Douglas County Fishing
Douglas County, 4,445 acres, 106 feet deep.
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Ida Lake, Douglas County, the basics
Count on 4,445 acres of water at Ida Lake, Douglas County, a lake in Douglas County. The DNR depth record tops out at 106 feet, with an average of 28 feet. Roughly 39% of the water (1,751 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Garfield sits about 5 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the Glenwood area fisheries office.
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The DNR access layer lists 3 public water accesses. DNR crews completed a standard survey on August 7, 2023. Walleye came in at 7.33 per gill net, within the normal range for similar lakes (4.0-9.6). Ice goes out around April 16 in a typical year (48 records).
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Figures are from the August 7, 2023 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 88 | 7.33 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.9 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.73 | 0.3-0.9 | 2.79 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 54 | 4.5 | 3.0-7.9 | 3.26 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.67 | 3.05 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 39 | 3.25 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 45 | 3.75 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.6 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.49 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 113 | 9.42 | 0.24 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 367 | 24.47 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 54 | 4.5 | 0.3-1.2 | 1.16 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.4-1.4 | 2.35 | 0.3-0.7 |
Gill net results from Ida Lake, Douglas County
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Ida Lake, Douglas County
“Lake Ida is a 4,432-acre, moderately fertile basin located northwest of Alexandria.”
“Lake Ida lies within the Long Prairie River watershed and is connected to Lake Miltona to the north and Lake Charley to the south via non-navigable channels.”
“Water clarity has increased since establishment of zebra mussels and often exceeds 15 feet during summer months.”
“Lake Ida supports a complex fish community due to good water quality and exceptional habitat diversity such as shallow bays, rock bars, abundant mid-lake structure, and vast areas of emergent and submergent vegetation.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Ida Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Ida Lake, Douglas County by boat
- Ida Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Leaf Valley Township
- Ida Lake, E Pilgrim Point Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Ida Lake, Highlands (SE) Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings around Ida Lake, Douglas County on the map
- Lake Carlos (W) AccessCarlos, 3 miles southeast
- Indian Lake Access near MillervilleIndian, 4 miles northwest
- Lake Carlos (E) AccessCarlos, 4 miles southeast
- Louise Lake AccessLouise, 4 miles south
- Lake Carlos, Lake Carlos SPK AccessCarlos, 4 miles east
- Miltona Lake (NW) AccessMiltona, 4 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Ida Lake, Douglas County
The clarity record for Ida Lake, Douglas County holds 5 Secchi readings going back to 2007.
The DNR record shows Ida Lake, Douglas County opening as early as March 24, 2012 and as late as May 3, 2008.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Ida Lake, Douglas County level reading
The DNR lake level record for Ida Lake, Douglas County is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species the DNR has recorded in Ida Lake, Douglas County
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Ida Lake, Douglas County list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Ida Lake, Douglas County
No special regulation names Ida Lake, Douglas County, so the statewide inland rows apply.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 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 |
| 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 |
The pike and bass rows shown are the North-central Zone rows, the zone Ida Lake, Douglas County falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Ida Lake, Douglas County next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ida Lake, Douglas County | 4,445 | 106 | 3 | 7.33 | |
| Hidden Lake, Douglas County | 3 miles east | 14 | 18 | 0 | |
| Lake Carlos | 4 miles southeast | 2,605 | 163 | 4 | 2.75 |
| Indian Lake, Douglas County | 4 miles northwest | 99 | 38 | 1 | 3.67 |
| Louise Lake, Douglas County | 4 miles south | 214 | 33 | 1 | 0.83 |
| Miltona Lake | 4 miles northeast | 5,731 | 105 | 3 | 10.75 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Ida Lake, Douglas County, up close
Lakes worth a look near Ida Lake, Douglas County
- Hidden Lake, Douglas County3 miles east
- Lake Carlos4 miles southeast
- Indian Lake, Douglas County4 miles northwest
- Louise Lake, Douglas County4 miles south
- Miltona Lake4 miles northeast
Tackle stops on the way to Ida Lake, Douglas County
- Chrisopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Douglas, 7 miles
- Christopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Alexandria, 7 miles
- Musky Mayhem Tacklebait and tackle shop, Parkers Prairie, 8 miles
- Fleet Farm, 310 50th Avenue Westsporting goods store, Alexandria, 10 miles
- Spruce Center Baitbait and tackle shop, Miltona, 11 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 14 miles
Overnight bases for Ida Lake, Douglas County
- Garfield5 miles
- Carlos6 miles
- Miltona7 miles
Counties surrounding Ida Lake, Douglas County
- Douglas Countyseat: Alexandria
Piscifun reels to pack for Ida Lake, Douglas County
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Reader questions on Ida Lake, Douglas County
How far is Ida Lake, Douglas County from a city?
It lies in Douglas County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 5 miles from Garfield.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Ida Lake, Douglas County?
4,445 acres, 106 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Ida Lake, Douglas County?
There are 3 public accesses; Ida Lake, E Pilgrim Point Access is the largest.
Does Ida Lake, Douglas County have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How recent is the Ida Lake, Douglas County survey?
Most recently on August 7, 2023 (standard survey). walleye ran 7.33 per gill net.
Does Ida Lake, Douglas County have special regulations?
Only statewide limits, North-central Zone for pike and bass.
Is a trout stamp needed on Ida Lake, Douglas County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the water clarity of Ida Lake, Douglas County?
Median ice-out is April 16; the last recorded ice-out was April 27, 2023.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Ida Lake, Douglas County?
Chrisopherson Bait Shop is nearest at 7 miles.
Head for Ida Lake, Douglas County
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.