Minnesota · Douglas County
Lake Le Homme Dieu Fishing guide
Lake Le Homme Dieu covers 1,801 acres in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 85 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 12.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 16 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 numbers3.5per gill net16"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 67 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 56 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2023Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2021Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 24 fish
2020Largemouth bassFair numbers37.7per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 188 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 151 fish
2024Lengths measured · 12 fish
2023Lengths measured · 25 fish
2021Lengths measured · 21 fish
2020Northern pikeJust a few4.2per gill net24"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 54 fish
2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2023Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2021Lengths measured · 65 fish
2020BluegillFair numbers30.8per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1296 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 436 fish
2024Lengths measured · 434 fish
2023Lengths measured · 426 fish
2021Lengths measured · 226 fish
2020CrappieJust a few0.4per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 36 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 32 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2023Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2021Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 20 fish
2020Yellow perchFair numbers1.6per gill net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2023Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2021Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2020Rock bassFair numbers0.6per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2021Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2020Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
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.
How to fish Lake Le Homme Dieu through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 12.3 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 85 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 12.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 85 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
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 | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26" | 18" | — |
| 2023 | 28" | 18" | — |
| 2021 | 26" | 17" | — |
| 2020 | 25" | 17" | — |
| 2016 | 22" | 18" | 18" |
| 2012 | 25" | 16" | — |
| 2008 | 28" | 17" | 10" |
| 2004 | 26" | 18" | — |
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
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
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 | 375,000 fry · 170 fingerlings · 120 yearlings · 1,412 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 84,000 fry · 5,030 fingerlings · 2,286 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 16,791 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 13,359 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 9,872 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 21,436 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 21,786 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 13,651 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 29,134 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 13,441 fingerlings · 247 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Lake Le Homme Dieu is a 1,800-acre basin located on the northeast city limits of Alexandria and is part of the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. Navigable connections exist to Lake Carlos and Lake Geneva. The shoreline and most of the watershed are well developed. Water quality is good. Water transparency was 10 feet during the 2024 survey. Because of its clear water and close proximity to Alexandria, the lake is popular with anglers and recreational boaters. Boating pressure can be high on weekends during the summer. Two well-maintained accesses are available to the public. The City of Alexandria maintains a public swimming beach on the southeast shoreline. A public beach is also available on the northwest shoreline. Boaters should be cautious of marked navigation hazards on the lake. A shallow rock bar is located in the middle of the lake off the west shoreline. Shallow rock areas are also present off both points leading into the west bay.
A standard fisheries survey was completed in August of 2024 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Lake Le Homme Dieu supports a modest Walleye fishery, which is supplemented with combined fingerling stockings by the MN DNR and private user groups. Catches increased in 2024 to 3.5 Walleye/gill net. Forty-three percent of Walleyes captured were larger than 15 inches. Average length was 14.9 inches. The largest Walleye observed in gill nets was 25.3 inches.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike densities have been relatively stable in Lake Le Homme Dieu and provide moderate angling opportunities for large fish (4.2 fish/gill net). Average length was 25.3 inches. The largest pike measured 35.2 inches. Anglers are reminded that new pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018. Lake Le Homme Dieu is located in the North-Central Zone. Anglers can now 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. Harvesting smaller pike will help shift the population back towards larger individuals and reduce the number of predators for young Walleye and other gamefish.
Lake Le Homme Dieu supports abundant populations of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Due to moderate fertility of the lake and moderate to high abundance of these fishes, growth rates can be slow. Fortunately, gamefishes in Lake Le Homme Dieu live to be quite old, thus it does support some larger fish. Fifteen percent of the Bluegill caught during the survey were over 7.0 inches and fish up to 9.0 inches were observed. Few Black Crappie are caught during summer surveys since larger fish move offshore and are less vulnerable to capture. Low catch rates recorded in surveys do not accurately reflect crappie abundance and size structure. Lake Le Homme Dieu does support good crappie fishing. Black Crappie over 12.0 inches were observed in the 2024 survey. Largemouth Bass are abundant and have been shown to live up to at least 19 years old in the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. The largest bass caught during the 2024 survey was 19.0 inches in length. The Alexandria Chain of Lakes is a popular destination for bass tournaments. Yellow Perch numbers have consistently been low. Yellow Perch are preferred prey of Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass.
Additional species sampled include Bowfin (dogfish), Common Carp, Greater and Shorthead Redhorse, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, and Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead. The next standard fisheries survey is tentatively scheduled for 2028.
Quality fishing opportunities exist for many species in Lake Le Homme Dieu. Even modest harvest of older fish can degrade fishing quality. Anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help maintain and improve the quality of the Lake Le Homme Dieu fishery. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish. Releasing medium to large fish will help restore and maintain fish community balance, as well as increase opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
Lake Le Homme Dieu was designated as an infested water after the discovery of zebra mussels in 2009. Eurasian watermilfoil was also discovered in 2012. Minnesota statutes require all equipment be free of invasive species prior to leaving any access. Recreational users should take necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lake Le Homme Dieu fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake Le Homme Dieu 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
- Le Homme Dieu Lake, Krueger Creek (NE) (trailer launch)
- Le Homme Dieu Lake, Rotary Beach (NW) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lake Le Homme Dieu depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lake Henry · 152 ac · 2.1 mi
- Lake Geneva · 640 ac · 2.1 mi
- Lake Darling · 1,050 ac · 2.3 mi
- Lake Carlos · 2,605 ac · 2.5 mi
- Lake Agnes · 138 ac · 2.5 mi
- Lake Louise · 215 ac · 3.3 mi
- Lake Victoria · 417 ac · 3.7 mi
- Lake Cowdrey · 243 ac · 3.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Le Homme Dieu?
Lake Le Homme Dieu reaches 85 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 19 ft; about 49% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lake Le Homme Dieu?
Lake Le Homme Dieu covers 1,801 acres with about 10.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lake Le Homme Dieu?
DNR Secchi readings on Lake Le Homme Dieu average 12.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lake Le Homme Dieu?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lake Le Homme Dieu stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lake Le Homme Dieu have a public access?
Yes. Lake Le Homme Dieu has 2 public access sites, including Le Homme Dieu Lake, Krueger Creek (NE) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lake Le Homme Dieu?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2004.
When was Lake Le Homme Dieu last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Le Homme Dieu in 2024, the most recent of 16 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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