With the exception of the area near the inlet, Albert Lea Lake receives very little fishing pressure. As soon as ice conditions make it possible, the channel becomes a city of its own. Permanent shelters become numerous, and anglers seated on overturned pails and in portable houses also are a common sight. The water directly below the Fountain Lake dam often remains open throughout the winter, and some walleye anglers find success casting jig-and-minnow combinations into the frigid pool.

As the inlet nears the main lake, ice-anglers get results with shiners and fathead minnows placed on tip-ups or rattle reels. Fish are more difficult to locate on the lake itself. Surrounding the mouth of the inlet, the northwestern portion of the lake draws the attention of tip-up anglers, but the condition of the ice must be closely monitored here. In addition to moving water beneath the ice, the aerator is located nearby. The area to the east of I-35 is a popular destination where anglers gather near the lake's numerous points and narrows.

Before the winter of 2004, Albert Lea Lake was also home to some impressive northern pike, catfish, largemouth bass, jumbo perch and crappies. Without any additional stocking of these species, their numbers are assumed to be very low now. However, Fountain Lake is populated with all of the above species and did not succumb to the freeze-out. With the ability to pass from this lake into Albert Lea Lake, a somewhat natural restocking is being done on a gradual basis. This will make it possible to encounter these fish on occasion, but it will be on a limited basis for several years.

Plus, more than 2 million walleye fry were planted in Albert Lea Lake during the summer of 2004 and again in 2005. These fish have exploded in size. Those introduced to the lake in 2004 are very numerous and should produce plenty of action throughout this winter and into the future.

The main public access to Albert Lea Lake is in Frank Hall Park. A pier and plenty of shoreline fishing are available at this location, making this a popular summer destination as well. Other accesses are located in Big Island (Helmer Myre) State Park on the northeastern shoreline off County Highway 38, and along County Highway 19, which is commonly referred to as South Shore Drive.

For more information regarding Albert Lea Lake, contact the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-345-8414, or visit www.city.albertlea.org

LURA LAKE
This 1,200-acre lake with a maximum depth of 9 feet is primarily on the southern border of Blue Earth County near Mapleton, and it extends to the south into Faribault County.