Minnesota · Douglas County
Lake Carlos Fishing guide
Lake Carlos covers 2,605 acres in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 163 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 17.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.8per gill net17"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 63 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 48 fish
2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2021Lengths measured · 36 fish
2020Lengths measured · 65 fish
2016Largemouth bassFair numbers20.2per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 119 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 108 fish
2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 33 fish
2020Lengths measured · 114 fish
2016Smallmouth bassJust a few3.9per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2024Lengths measured · 3 fish
2021Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2020Lengths measured · 12 fish
2016Northern pikeGood numbers12.7per gill net20"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 181 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 168 fish
2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2021Lengths measured · 182 fish
2020Lengths measured · 217 fish
2016BluegillFair numbers28.2per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 925 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 381 fish
2024Lengths measured · 544 fish
2021Lengths measured · 151 fish
2020Lengths measured · 687 fish
2016CrappieJust a few0.5per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2021Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2020Lengths measured · 4 fish
2016Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchFair numbers1.4per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2021Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 40 fish
2020Lengths measured · 47 fish
2016Last recorded in the 2004 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassElite fishery7.9per gill net7"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 133 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 114 fish
2024Lengths measured · 19 fish
2021Lengths measured · 126 fish
2020Lengths measured · 96 fish
2016Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Lake Carlos through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 17.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 163 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 17.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 163 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29" | 27" | 19" |
| 2021 | 24" | 27" | 13" |
| 2020 | 31" | 27" | 15" |
| 2016 | 37" | 28" | 19" |
| 2013 | 33" | 27" | 15" |
| 2008 | 35" | 28" | 20" |
| 2004 | 32" | 27" | 18" |
| 2000 | 33" | 27" | 19" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 740 fingerlings · 5,098 yearlings · 403 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 3,913 fingerlings · 8,147 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 14,656 fingerlings · 3,750 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 14,627 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,237 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 12,066 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 14,572 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 9,024 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 17,057 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 15,461 fingerlings · 3,845 yearlings · 263 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
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. Heavy residential development surrounds most of the shoreline. The lake's outlet forms the headwaters of the Long Prairie River. The outlet dam was modified to a rock arch rapids in 2021 and is now a popular starting destination for tubers, canoeists, and kayakers that float the Long Prairie River. Lake Carlos has very good water quality and high water clarity. Like other lakes within the Alexandria Chain, water clarity has increased substantially following zebra mussel infestation. Water clarity measurements on Lake Carlos can now exceed 20 feet during summer months. Because of its clarity and navigable connections to other lakes (Darling and Le Homme Dieu) comprising the Alexandria Chain, Lake Carlos is a very popular destination for both recreational boaters and anglers.
Four public access locations are available on Lake Carlos. The west and north accesses have a loading/unloading dock, are deeper, have ample parking, and are better suited for launching larger boats. The north access is located within Lake Carlos State Park and use requires a Minnesota State Parks permit. Other amenities within Lake Carlos State Park include a fish cleaning station and public swimming beach. The northeast and east accesses are relatively small and have limited parking. The Rotary Beach access on Lake Le Homme Dieu, which is located close to the channel connecting these two lakes, is also frequently used to access Lake Carlos.
Read the full DNR narrative
A standard fisheries survey was completed during summer 2024 to assess the fish community and gain updated estimates of abundance and size structure of gamefish populations. Survey results revealed a fish community typical of many bass-panfish lakes found throughout west-central Minnesota. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are abundant and provide a very popular fishery. In fact, the Alexandria Chain of Lakes is host to several bass tournaments throughout the year. Both bass species tend to grow relatively slow in Lake Carlos and these populations tend to be dominated by medium-sized fish. However, Largemouth Bass exceeding 19 inches and Smallmouth Bass exceeding 20 inches were sampled during the 2024 survey. Panfishing is also popular, especially during the open water season. Black Crappie, Bluegill, hybrid sunfish, and Pumpkinseed are abundant. Larger crappie and hybrid sunfish are relatively common, whereas most Bluegill and Pumpkinseed tend to be smaller individuals. Panfish anglers willing to do some sorting should be able to find harvestable-size fish. Yellow Perch are not abundant and most are too small to be of interest to anglers. The Northern Pike population is characterized as having high abundance and moderate size structure. Larger pike are present but "hammer handles" (i.e., small pike) comprise most of this population. Average size in 2024 was just 20.4 inches and 1.9 pounds. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small pike. Northern Pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase pike size structure. Lake Carlos is in the North-Central Zone, where all pike 22 to 26 inches must be released. Anglers can keep 10 pike but not more than two can be longer than 26 inches. For more information on Northern Pike zone regulations see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pike/index.html. Walleye anglers will likely encounter low to moderate numbers of harvestable-size fish. Average size in 2024 was 16.0 inches and 1.7 pounds. The Walleye population is supplemented with annual fingerling stockings by the MN DNR. Fingerlings are also stocked under private permit by the Lake Carlos Association.
Other species sampled during the 2024 survey included Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (dogfish), Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Rock Bass, Greater and Shorthead Redhorse, and White Sucker. Burbot have also been sampled in Lake Carlos, which is the only lake in the Glenwood Management Area known to support this species. Tullibee (Cisco) are also abundant in Lake Carlos but are typically not sampled with standard survey gear. The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2028.
Lake Carlos is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Zebra mussels were first confirmed in 2009. Eurasian watermilfoil was first confirmed in 2012. Regulations restricting bait harvest and transport of water apply to this basin. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.
Lake Carlos is designated as a "Tier One" lake in The Sentinel Lakes Program. This intensive long-term lake ecosystem monitoring program was initiated to detect and understand the physical, chemical, and biological changes occurring in Minnesota's lakes. For more information on The Sentinel Lakes Program see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/slice/index.html.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lake Carlos fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake Carlos from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Lake Carlos (E) (trailer launch)
- Lake Carlos (NE) (trailer launch)
- Lake Carlos (W) (trailer launch)
- Lake Carlos, Lake Carlos SPK (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lake Carlos depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lake Le Homme Dieu · 1,801 ac · 2.5 mi
- Lake Darling · 1,050 ac · 3.4 mi
- Lake Ida · 4,445 ac · 3.5 mi
- Lake Louise · 215 ac · 3.6 mi
- Lake Henry · 152 ac · 4.2 mi
- Lake Geneva · 640 ac · 4.5 mi
- North Union Lake · 118 ac · 4.7 mi
- Lake Agnes · 138 ac · 4.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Carlos?
Lake Carlos reaches 163 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 50 ft; about 35% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lake Carlos?
Lake Carlos covers 2,605 acres with about 12.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lake Carlos?
DNR Secchi readings on Lake Carlos average 17.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lake Carlos?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, brown trout, rock bass.
Is Lake Carlos stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lake Carlos have a public access?
Yes. Lake Carlos has 4 public access sites, including Lake Carlos (E) (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Lake Carlos?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2000.
When was Lake Carlos last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Carlos in 2024, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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