Lake Ida Fishing guide

DNR survey data

Fish species

Rates 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.

Size history

Biggest fish by survey year

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:

Walleye · Live bait

Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler

jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler

8–35 ftslow

Shop octopus hooks →

Walleye · Trolling

Leadcore Line + Crankbaits

4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run

15–45 fttrolling

Shop deep-diving crankbaits →

Largemouth bass · Soft plastics

Texas-Rigged Worm

7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm

1–25 ftdead slow

Shop plastic worms →

Largemouth bass · Soft plastics

Free Rig

Creature bait or magnum finesse worm

8–30 ftdead slowweedless

Shop creature baits →

Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics

Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)

4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic

8–40 ftdead slowweedless

Shop finesse plastics →

Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed

Tail Spinner

Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail

10–35 ftmoderate

Shop tail spinners →

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

MN DNR · in their words

From the 2023 survey

Lake Ida is a 4,432-acre, moderately fertile basin located northwest of Alexandria. Maximum depth exceeds 100 feet. Mean depth is approximately 28 feet. 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 quality and clarity are considered good. Water clarity has increased since establishment of zebra mussels and often exceeds 15 feet during summer months. Residential development surrounds much of the lake. 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. This lake is a popular destination for both anglers and recreational boaters. Recreational pressure can be heavy, especially on weekend days during summer months. Three access sites are available for public use. Two on the east shore and one on the north. The north access has limited parking and is relatively shallow. Launching of large boats at this site can be challenging, especially during low water periods. Boaters should also be cautious of shallow rock bars off the following points: Pilgrim and Stony (the two points that separate the north and south portions of the lake) and Betsy Ross (the point entering the northwest bay). These areas are typically posted with caution signs. Primary fish management efforts are focused on Walleye with bass and sunfish being species of secondary management importance.

A standard fisheries survey was completed in 2023 to assess the fish community and gain updated estimates of abundance and size structure of gamefish populations. Lake Ida is well known as a quality Walleye fishery. Walleye abundance (7.3 fish/gill net) has increased since the record-low level that was documented in 2019. Higher abundance can be attributed to increased survival and recruitment of young fish in recent years. Approximately 84% of the gill net sample was comprised of Walleye age 4 or younger. The dominant 2019 year class accounted for almost 60% of gill net captures. Mean size of Walleye captured in 2023 was 17.2 inches and 1.9 pounds. Lake Ida supports both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations. Largemouth Bass are more abundant but average size of Smallmouth Bass tends to be larger. Maximum lengths of bass sampled in 2023 were 17.7 inches for Largemouth and 18.5 inches for Smallmouth. Panfish populations, particularly Bluegill and Black Crappie, are abundant. Current size structure for Bluegill is considered fair to good. Mean length of Bluegill captured in 2023 was 5.3 inches for trap nets and 6.6 inches for gill nets. Angler catches of larger sunfish are common. Current size structure of crappie is considered good. Mean and maximum lengths of Black Crappie captured in 2023 were 10.1 and 12.2 inches. Rock Bass sustain an abundant population and contribute to fishing, but relatively few are harvested. Yellow Perch abundance is low and harvestable-size perch are rare. Northern Pike are not abundant (4.5 fish/gill net) but size structure of this population has improved in recent years. Average size in 2023 was 24.2 inches and 3.3 pounds. The largest pike measured was just over 36 inches. Northern Pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018 to help improve pike size structure. Lake Ida is located in the North-Central Zone. Anglers can keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. One Muskellunge, a 45-inch individual, was captured during the 2023 survey. This trophy gamefish is not stocked into Lake Ida, thus abundance is low. Presence of this species in Lake Ida is from downstream emigration from Lake Miltona. Lake Ida also supports opportunities to catch and harvest Tullibee, also referred to as Cisco or Lake Herring, and is one of only two lakes in the Glenwood Management Area where sport gill netting for this species is allowed.

Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.

Public water access

Getting on the water

• Ida Lake (N) (trailer launch)
• Ida Lake, E Pilgrim Point (trailer launch)
• Ida Lake, Highlands (SE) (trailer launch)

DNR bathymetry

Lake Ida depth map

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

• Lake Carlos · 2,605 ac · 3.5 mi
• Indian Lake · 99 ac · 3.6 mi
• Lake Louise · 215 ac · 4.1 mi
• Lake Miltona · 5,731 ac · 4.3 mi
• Lake Darling · 1,050 ac · 4.9 mi
• North Union Lake · 118 ac · 5.1 mi
• Chippewa Lake · 1,186 ac · 5.4 mi
• Lake Stony · 87 ac · 5.5 mi

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

How deep is Lake Ida?

Lake Ida reaches 106 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 28 ft; about 39% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).

How big is Lake Ida?

Lake Ida covers 4,445 acres with about 22.6 miles of shoreline.

How clear is the water in Lake Ida?

DNR Secchi readings on Lake Ida average 12.9 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.

What fish are in Lake Ida?

Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.

Is Lake Ida stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.

Does Lake Ida have a public access?

Yes. Lake Ida has 3 public access sites, including Ida Lake (N) (trailer launch).

How big do walleye get in Lake Ida?

The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.

When was Lake Ida last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Ida in 2023, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.