Miltona Lake Fishing
Douglas County, 5,731 acres, 105 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Carlos: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Key facts on Miltona Lake
Miltona Lake covers 5,731 acres of Douglas County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 105 feet, with an average of 23.6 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 2,759 acres, roughly 48% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Miltona, about 4 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Glenwood oversee it. The muskie population here is listed as introduced.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 3 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on August 14, 2023. The DNR counted 10.75 walleye per gill net, above its normal range of 4.0-9.6. Across 26 ice-out records the median date is April 14.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How the Miltona Lake survey compares
Catch per net set from the standard survey dated August 14, 2023, 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 | 129 | 10.75 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.36 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.67 | 0.3-0.9 | 4.33 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 25 | 2.08 | 3.0-7.9 | 3.12 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.13 | 6.64 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 144 | 12 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.73 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 14 | 1.17 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.74 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.46 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 206 | 17.17 | 0.12 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 343 | 22.87 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.17 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 35 | 2.92 | 0.3-1.2 | 0.84 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.22 | 0.3-0.7 |
Fish per species in the Miltona Lake gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Miltona Lake
“Lake Miltona, located north of Alexandria between the towns of Miltona and Leaf Valley, is the largest (5,724 acres) recreational fishing lake in Douglas County.”
“The lake supports a productive fishery since nearly half of the basin is less than 15 feet in depth and a well oxygenated thermal refuge area exists for coolwater fishes during summer months.”
“Lake Miltona lies within the Long Prairie River watershed and is connected to Lake Ida to the south and Lake Irene to the east via non-navigable channels.”
“Water clarity has increased since establishment of zebra mussels and often exceeds 15 feet during summer months.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Miltona Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Miltona Lake
- Miltona Lake, Parson Park (NE) Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Miltona Lake (NW) Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Leaf Valley Township
- Miltona Lake, Sandy Beach Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Boat launches serving Miltona Lake
- Ida Lake (N) AccessIda, 2 miles southwest
- Vermont Lake AccessVermont, 3 miles north
- Lake Carlos, Lake Carlos SPK AccessCarlos, 3 miles southeast
- Irene Lake (N) AccessIrene, 4 miles northeast
- Irene Lake (E) AccessIrene, 4 miles east
- Lake Carlos (NE) AccessCarlos, 4 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Miltona Lake gets
Miltona Lake has 5 clarity readings on file since 2007.
Ice has left Miltona Lake as early as March 17, 2024 and as late as May 5, 2018.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Miltona Lake
This Miltona Lake series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Miltona Lake surveys
LakeFinder builds the Miltona Lake list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Miltona Lake
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Miltona 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 (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 Miltona Lake; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Miltona Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miltona Lake | 5,731 | 105 | 3 | 10.75 | |
| Vermont Lake | 3 miles north | 342 | 59 | 1 | 3.17 |
| Hidden Lake, Douglas County | 3 miles south | 14 | 18 | 0 | |
| Irene Lake | 4 miles northeast | 639 | 44 | 2 | 6.58 |
| Ida Lake, Douglas County | 4 miles southwest | 4,445 | 106 | 3 | 7.33 |
| Indian Lake, Douglas County | 5 miles west | 99 | 38 | 1 | 3.67 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Miltona Lake
Neighbor lakes around Miltona Lake
- Vermont Lake3 miles north
- Hidden Lake, Douglas County3 miles south
- Irene Lake4 miles northeast
- Ida Lake, Douglas County4 miles southwest
- Indian Lake, Douglas County5 miles west
Bait and tackle closest to Miltona Lake
- Musky Mayhem Tacklebait and tackle shop, Parkers Prairie, 5 miles
- Spruce Center Baitbait and tackle shop, Miltona, 8 miles
- Chrisopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Douglas, 10 miles
- Christopherson Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Alexandria, 10 miles
- Fleet Farm, 310 50th Avenue Westsporting goods store, Alexandria, 13 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 14 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Miltona Lake
- Miltona4 miles
- Carlos6 miles
- Parkers Prairie8 miles
Miltona Lake, county lines
- Douglas Countyseat: Alexandria
Piscifun gear suited to Miltona Lake
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Miltona Lake questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Miltona Lake?
Find it in Douglas County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 4 miles from Miltona.
How deep is Miltona Lake?
Roughly 5,731 acres, 105 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Miltona Lake?
Try Miltona Lake, Parson Park (NE) Access, one of 3 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Miltona Lake?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How does Miltona Lake compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of August 14, 2023. walleye ran 10.75 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Miltona Lake?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Miltona Lake?
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 Miltona Lake?
April 14 is the median; it went out April 14, 2026 most recently.
Which bait shop is closest to Miltona Lake?
Musky Mayhem Tackle is about 5 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Miltona Lake
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.