Mary Lake, Douglas County Fishing
Douglas County, 2,450 acres, 40 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Alexandria: Omar David Sandoval Sida, CC BY-SA 3.0
Key facts on Mary Lake, Douglas County
Mary Lake, Douglas County covers 2,450 acres of Douglas County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 40 feet, with an average of 17 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 1,096 acres, roughly 45% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Alexandria, about 6 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Glenwood oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 2 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on August 11, 2025. The DNR counted 12.92 walleye per gill net, above its normal range of 3.3-8.8. Across 51 ice-out records the median date is April 13.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How the Mary Lake, Douglas County survey compares
Catch per net set from the standard survey dated August 11, 2025, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 155 | 12.92 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.4 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 0.2-0.8 | 3.5 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 61 | 5.08 | 2.8-9.0 | 1.85 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 1.52 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 7 | 0.58 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.07 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.07 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 35 | 2.92 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.61 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.53 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.5 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 120 | 10 | 0.24 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 265 | 17.67 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.19 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 25 | 2.08 | 0.3-1.4 | 1.43 | 0.5-1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.3-1.3 | 1.8 | 0.2-0.8 |
Fish per species in the Mary Lake, Douglas County gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Mary Lake, Douglas County
“Lake Mary (2,450 acres) is located five miles southwest of Alexandria.”
“Water clarity is moderate (8 feet) and aquatic plants are common in shallow areas.”
“Average depth is 17 feet with a maximum depth of 40 feet.”
“Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are common.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Mary Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Mary Lake, Douglas County
- Mary Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Mary Lake (S) Access1 ramp, 17 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Boat launches serving Mary Lake, Douglas County
- Mill Lake Access near GarfieldMill, 3 miles northwest
- Lakota Lake (S) AccessLatoka, 3 miles northeast
- Grants Lake AccessGrants, 3 miles west
- Blackwell Lake (N) AccessBlackwell, 3 miles west
- Andrew Lake AccessAndrew, 3 miles east
- Blackwell Lake (S) AccessBlackwell, 3 miles west
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Mary Lake, Douglas County gets
Mary Lake, Douglas County has 4 clarity readings on file since 2013.
Ice has left Mary Lake, Douglas County as early as March 25, 2016 and as late as May 2, 1979.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Mary Lake, Douglas County
This Mary Lake, Douglas County series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Mary Lake, Douglas County surveys
LakeFinder builds the Mary Lake, Douglas County list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Mary Lake, Douglas County
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Mary Lake, Douglas County.
| 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 |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Mary Lake, Douglas County; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Mary Lake, Douglas County
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Lake, Douglas County | 2,450 | 40 | 2 | 12.92 | |
| Grill Lake | 2 miles northwest | 67 | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| Mill Lake, Douglas County | 3 miles northwest | 451 | 40 | 1 | 2.78 |
| Pocket Lake, Douglas County | 3 miles southwest | 263 | 40 | 1 | 2.83 |
| Grants Lake | 3 miles west | 177 | 60 | 1 | 1.83 |
| Cook Lake, Douglas County | 3 miles north | 101 | 50 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Mary Lake, Douglas County
Neighbor lakes around Mary Lake, Douglas County
- Grill Lake2 miles northwest
- Mill Lake, Douglas County3 miles northwest
- Pocket Lake, Douglas County3 miles southwest
- Grants Lake3 miles west
- Cook Lake, Douglas County3 miles north
Bait and tackle closest to Mary Lake, Douglas County
- Fleet Farm, 310 50th Avenue Westsporting goods store, Alexandria, 5 miles
- Christopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Alexandria, 7 miles
- Chrisopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Douglas, 7 miles
- Fish onbait and tackle shop, Glenwood, 13 miles
- Glenwood Fleet Supplyfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Glenwood, 14 miles
- Minnewaska Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Starbuck, 15 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Mary Lake, Douglas County
- Alexandria6 miles
- Forada7 miles
- Garfield8 miles
Mary Lake, Douglas County, county lines
- Douglas Countyseat: Alexandria
Piscifun gear suited to Mary Lake, Douglas County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Mary Lake, Douglas County questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Mary Lake, Douglas County?
Find it in Douglas County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 6 miles from Alexandria.
How deep is Mary Lake, Douglas County?
Roughly 2,450 acres, 40 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Mary Lake, Douglas County?
Try Mary Lake (S) Access, one of 2 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Mary Lake, Douglas County?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and cisco.
How does Mary Lake, Douglas County compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of August 11, 2025. walleye ran 12.92 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Mary Lake, Douglas County?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Mary 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 ice-out date for Mary Lake, Douglas County?
April 13 is the median; it went out April 11, 2026 most recently.
Which bait shop is closest to Mary Lake, Douglas County?
Fleet Farm is about 5 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Mary Lake, Douglas County
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.