Minnesota · Douglas County
Mill Lake Fishing guide
Mill Lake is a 451-acre lake in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 40 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 13.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers2.8per gill net18"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 35 fish
2018Lengths measured · 97 fish
2012Lengths measured · 86 fish
2008Largemouth bassGood numbers50per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 89 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 89 fish
2024Lengths measured · 60 fish
2018Lengths measured · 76 fish
2012Lengths measured · 81 fish
2008Northern pikeOne of the best around20.3per gill net17"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 183 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 183 fish
2024Lengths measured · 216 fish
2018Lengths measured · 136 fish
2012Lengths measured · 152 fish
2008Last recorded in the 2008 survey and not seen since.
BluegillFair numbers46.1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 992 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 790 fish
2024Lengths measured · 202 fish
2022Lengths measured · 211 fish
2018Lengths measured · 325 fish
2012CrappieJust a few4.1per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 95 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 57 fish
2024Lengths measured · 38 fish
2022Lengths measured · 57 fish
2018Lengths measured · 127 fish
2012No recent survey rating.
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 Mill Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 13.6 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 40 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 13.6 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 40 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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass | Walleye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 35" | 18" | 23" |
| 2018 | 37" | 17" | 26" |
| 2012 | 32" | 16" | 28" |
| 2008 | 32" | 15" | 28" |
| 2004 | 31" | 19" | 27" |
| 1999 | 29" | 18" | 29" |
| 1994 | 31" | 15" | 25" |
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 · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 5,880 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 6,860 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 192 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,657 yearlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 6,873 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 6,505 fingerlings · 5 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Mill Lake is a 461-acre, moderately productive basin located eight miles southwest of Alexandria. Maximum depth of the lake is 40.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 20.0 feet. Water clarity has increased markedly in response to establishment of zebra mussels. Water transparency at time of the June 2024 survey was measured at 21.0 feet. Mill Lake supports a diverse and robust aquatic plant community which provides important habitat for ambush feeders or vegetation-dependent gamefishes such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill. Residential development is prominent with a few agricultural lots bordering the lake. A DNR public access site is located on the southeast shoreline, off MN-27.
A standard fisheries survey was completed in 2024 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Survey methodology included a spring electrofishing survey, completed May 14, to effectively sample the Largemouth Bass population. The gill netting component of the standard survey was completed June 10-11. During the spring of 2022 a special regulation was implemented that reduced the daily sunfish limit from 20 down to 10. As an evaluation requirement of this special regulation, trap netting was conducted during the spring (May 14-15) when panfish are more susceptible to capture. These sampling practices will be standard protocol for future fisheries surveys on Mill Lake.
Read the full DNR narrative
Mill Lake historically supported a relatively stable Walleye population sustained through alternate year fingerling stockings. Since the discovery of zebra mussels in 2015 Walleye catch rates have declined to a near record low in 2024 (2.8 fish/gill net). Though not overly abundant, 64% of Walleyes observed were over 15.0 inches. It is apparent that survival of stocked Walleye fingerlings and Walleye abundance have diminished in response to competition and predation by a high-density population of small Northern Pike. These negative effects are likely compounded by the presence of zebra mussels.
Northern Pike continue to be excessively abundant (20.3 fish/gill net). Average size of pike captures in 2024 remained modest at 18.4 inches. The largest pike measured 35.6 inches, though fish of this size are not common. Anglers are reminded that new pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018. Mill Lake 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. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of these liberalized bag limits and harvest pike under 22 inches in length. Harvesting smaller pike will help shift the population back towards larger individuals and reduce the number of predators for young Walleye and other gamefish.
Due to the lake's quality habitat attributes, Mill Lake supports a robust Largemouth Bass population. Growth rates are similar to the state-wide average with bass reaching 12.0 inches at age 4. Size structure of the electrofishing catch described a quality fishery. Sixty-two percent of the Largemouth Bass sampled were over 12.0 inches and the largest bass observed was 18.0 inches.
Bluegill catch rates (69.7 fish/trap net) were high in 2024. Age distribution of Bluegill catches extended to age 9, but 63% of captures were age 5 or younger. Although the population is dominated by young fish, Mill Lake continues to boast a quality size structure for Bluegill and provides excellent angling opportunities. Sixty-four percent of Bluegill were over 7.0 inches in length and fish up to 9.6 inches were observed. Black Crappie catch rates were low and a majority of fish captured were age 4 and younger. Few crappies over 10.0 inches were observed during the 2024 spring survey. Black Crappie growth rates are moderate; average length of age 4 fish was over 9.5 inches. The largest Black Crappie in the sample was over 12.5 inches and the oldest crappie was 9 years old. Adult Yellow Perch numbers were low during the 2024 survey. Yellow Perch are preferred prey of Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass.
Additional species sampled include Common Carp, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Brown and Yellow Bullhead. The next standard fisheries survey is tentatively scheduled for 2030.
Zebra mussels were documented in Mill Lake in 2015, but no other invasive species have been documented. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to this or other lakes.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Mill Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Mill Lake 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
- Mill Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Mill Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Grill Lake · 67 ac · 0.7 mi
- Round Lake · 81 ac · 1.2 mi
- Lobster Lake · 1,334 ac · 1.7 mi
- Grant Lake · 177 ac · 1.7 mi
- Crooked Lake · 284 ac · 1.7 mi
- Blackwell Lake · 307 ac · 2.1 mi
- Cork Lake · 101 ac · 2.8 mi
- Gilbert Lake · 202 ac · 2.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Mill Lake?
Mill Lake reaches 40 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 20 ft; about 44% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Mill Lake?
Mill Lake covers 451 acres with about 5.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Mill Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Mill Lake average 13.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Mill Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Mill Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Mill Lake have a public access?
Yes. Mill Lake has one public access site: Mill Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Mill Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 35"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Mill Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Mill Lake in 2024, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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