The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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Outdoors

May 4, 2008

Plenty of fishing hot spots in our area waters

By John Cross

WATERVILLE — The ambiance of a south-central Minnesota fishing trip, where the bellow of a Holstein is more common than the wail of a loon, may not rival that of a trip to northern Minnesota waters.

Then again, some would argue that ambiance is overrated, particularly when gas is going at $3.50 a gallon.

What really matters is the tug on a line, the flash of silvery scales, the sandpapery back of a wriggling walleye.

And on that count, Mankato-area anglers are a lucky lot.

There are literally dozens of lakes to be found within a couple of hours of driving, all with healthy populations of old marble eyes.

Over at the DNR’s fish hatchery in Waterville, and way up in Hutchinson, fisheries officials spend a lion’s share of their time and resources making sure that there are ample walleye populations in area lakes to provide good — and sometimes astounding — fishing.

They checked their numbers, looked at the stocking and assessment statistics and offer the following lakes within a two-hour drive as good bets for coming home next weekend with the main ingredient for a walleye dinner:

• Albert Lea Lake (2,650 acres), Freeborn County: After suffering a winterkill in 2004, the lake has been heavily stocked. Walleyes from 14 to 18 inches were abundant at 85 per gillnet in a 2006 assessment. Yellow perch eight inches and larger also were abundant at 150 per net.

Accesses are located at the city of Albert Lea, Myre-Big Island State Park, and on the south side of the lake. Good shore fishing opportunities can be found in the channel connecting Fountain Lake with Albert Lea Lake.



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