Lake Carlos Fishing
Douglas County, 2,605 acres, 163 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lake Carlos, the basics
Count on 2,605 acres of water at Lake Carlos, a lake in Douglas County. The DNR depth record tops out at 163 feet, with an average of 50 feet. Roughly 35% of the water (922 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Carlos sits about 3 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 4 public water accesses. DNR crews completed a standard survey on July 22, 2024. Walleye came in at 2.75 per gill net, below the normal range for similar lakes (4.0-9.6). Ice goes out around April 16 in a typical year (17 records).
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Lake Carlos survey catch
Figures are from the July 22, 2024 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 33 | 2.75 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.66 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 15 | 1 | 0.3-0.9 | 4.13 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 152 | 12.67 | 3.0-7.9 | 1.9 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 16 | 1.07 | 1.97 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 17 | 1.42 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.17 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.07 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 17 | 1.42 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.71 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.54 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 80 | 6.67 | 0.15 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 302 | 20.13 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 29 | 2.42 | 0.3-1.2 | 1.22 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.13 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.24 | 0.3-0.7 |
Gill net results from Lake Carlos
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Lake Carlos
“Lake Carlos is a 2,605-acre basin located approximately four miles north of Alexandria.”
“It is the largest and deepest basin making up the Alexandria Chain of Lakes.”
“Average and maximum depths are 50 and 163 feet, respectively.”
“The lake's outlet forms the headwaters of the Long Prairie River.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Lake Carlos (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Lake Carlos by boat
- Lake Carlos, Lake Carlos SPK Access2 ramps, 14 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Lake Carlos (E) Access1 ramp, 1 trailer stalls, Carlos Township
- Lake Carlos (NE) Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Lake Carlos (W) Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings around Lake Carlos on the map
- Le Homme Dieu Lake, Rotary Beach (NW) AccessLe Homme Dieu, 2 miles south
- Le Homme Dieu Lake, Krueger Creek (NE) AccessLe Homme Dieu, 2 miles southeast
- Ida Lake, E Pilgrim Point AccessIda, 2 miles northwest
- Ida Lake, Highlands (SE) AccessIda, 2 miles west
- Long Prairie River, Hwy 29 AccessLong Prairie River, 2 miles northeast
- Long Prairie River, Miltona Carlos Rd Water Access Site AccessLong Prairie River, 3 miles east
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Lake Carlos
The clarity record for Lake Carlos holds 5 Secchi readings going back to 2008.
The DNR record shows Lake Carlos opening as early as March 12, 2024 and as late as May 13, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake Carlos level reading
The DNR lake level record for Lake Carlos 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 Lake Carlos
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Lake Carlos list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Lake Carlos
No special regulation names Lake Carlos, 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 Lake Carlos falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Permitted events held on Lake Carlos
DNR tournament permits and published results for Lake Carlos have their own page.
Lake Carlos next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Carlos | 2,605 | 163 | 4 | 2.75 | |
| Hidden Lake, Douglas County | 2 miles north | 14 | 18 | 0 | |
| Le Homme Dieu Lake | 2 miles south | 1,801 | 85 | 2 | 3.5 |
| Ida Lake, Douglas County | 4 miles northwest | 4,445 | 106 | 3 | 7.33 |
| Lake Darling | 4 miles southwest | 1,050 | 62 | 0 | 2.25 |
| Louise Lake, Douglas County | 4 miles southwest | 214 | 33 | 1 | 0.83 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Lake Carlos, up close
Lakes worth a look near Lake Carlos
- Hidden Lake, Douglas County2 miles north
- Le Homme Dieu Lake2 miles south
- Ida Lake, Douglas County4 miles northwest
- Lake Darling4 miles southwest
- Louise Lake, Douglas County4 miles southwest
Tackle stops on the way to Lake Carlos
- Chrisopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Douglas, 5 miles
- Christopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Alexandria, 5 miles
- Fleet Farm, 310 50th Avenue Westsporting goods store, Alexandria, 8 miles
- Spruce Center Baitbait and tackle shop, Miltona, 10 miles
- Musky Mayhem Tacklebait and tackle shop, Parkers Prairie, 10 miles
- Pauls Pump & Pantry Picadilly Pizza & Subsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Osakis, 12 miles
Overnight bases for Lake Carlos
- Carlos3 miles
- Alexandria6 miles
- Miltona6 miles
Counties surrounding Lake Carlos
- Douglas Countyseat: Alexandria
Piscifun reels to pack for Lake Carlos
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Reader questions on Lake Carlos
How far is Lake Carlos from a city?
It lies in Douglas County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 3 miles from Carlos.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Lake Carlos?
2,605 acres, 163 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Lake Carlos?
There are 4 public accesses; Lake Carlos, Lake Carlos SPK Access is the largest.
Does Lake Carlos have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How recent is the Lake Carlos survey?
Most recently on July 22, 2024 (standard survey). walleye ran 2.75 per gill net.
Does Lake Carlos have special regulations?
Only statewide limits, North-central Zone for pike and bass.
Is a trout stamp needed on Lake Carlos?
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 Lake Carlos?
Median ice-out is April 16; the last recorded ice-out was April 14, 2026.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Lake Carlos?
Chrisopherson Bait Shop is nearest at 5 miles.
Head for Lake Carlos
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.