Lake Miltona

How big is Lake Miltona?

How deep is Lake Miltona?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Miltona?

Are there bait or tackle shops near Lake Miltona?

Are there topographical lake maps available Lake Miltona?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Lake Miltona (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Lake Miltona

Are there boat launches on Lake Miltona?

Lake Miltona area businesses:

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Miltona?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Miltona?

Lake Miltona, located north of Alexandria near the towns of Miltona and Leaf Valley, is the largest recreational fishing lake in Douglas County. This lake has a surface area of 5,724 acres. Maximum depth exceeds 100.0 feet. The lake supports a productive fishery since nearly half of the basin area is less than 15.0 feet in depth and a well oxygenated thermal refuge area exists for coolwater fishes during summer months. Lake Miltona lies within the Long Prairie River watershed and is connected to Lake Ida to the south and Lake Irene to the east via non-navigable channels. Water quality and clarity measures are very good and improving. Water transparency measurements now approach 11.0 feet during summer months. Residential development surrounds the majority of the lake. This lake is a very popular destination for both anglers and recreational boaters. Recreational pressure can be high, especially on weekend days during summer months. Three public accesses are present but parking is limited on the west access. There is one posted fish spawning area located on the northwest shoreline of the west bay. Fishing is prohibited in this area during the spring spawning season.

Lake Miltona is now designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels, which were first confirmed in 2012. Regulations restricting bait harvest and transport of water apply to this basin. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html

Lake Miltona supports a diverse and healthy fish community. Bottom structure such as extensive shallow flats, submerged islands and bars, shallow bays, and extensive areas of emergent vegetation provide a rich variety of habitat-types and fishing opportunities. Primary fish management is focused on sustaining a consumptive Walleye fishery. Bass and panfishes are important components of the fishery. Muskellunge are stocked on an alternate-year schedule to maintain a unique opportunity to catch this large fish.

Walleye abundance is currently considered high when compared to similar lakes across Minnesota. In fact, the 2015 gill net catch was the second highest documented since the mid-1990s. Smaller, younger fish comprise the majority of this population. Mean size of Walleyes captured during 2015 survey was 14.7 inches and 1.3 pounds. High abundance and smaller average size can be attributed to the moderate year classes produced in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and sustained presence of an extremely strong year class established in 2011. Walleye growth rates have slowed in recent years due to increased density of smaller fish. 2015 survey results indicate Walleyes typically reach 14.0 inches after four growing seasons and exceed 16.0 inches by age five. Annual fry stockings and occasional fingerling stockings are currently prescribed to supplement this population and help bolster Walleye abundance. However, high Walleye abundance is difficult to sustain in large lakes through supplemental stocking. Successful natural reproduction and subsequent recruitment are the keys to sustaining quality Walleye fisheries in these waters.

Lake Miltona has come to support a very popular Muskellunge fishery. It is one of only three lakes within the Glenwood Management Area where Muskellunge fingerlings are stocked. Alternate year fingerling stockings help maintain this fishery. The "trophy" potential of this lake is relatively high. Previous angler reports and survey findings indicate that fish exceeding 50.0 inches are not uncommon. The current statewide regulation is a 54-inch minimum length limit. All muskies less than 54.0 inches in total length (tip of closed mouth to tip of closed tail fin) must be released immediately.

Other quality fishing opportunities exist for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappies, and Bluegills. Lake Miltona supports both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations. Largemouth Bass are more abundant than Smallmouth Bass, but average size of Smallmouth Bass is greater than that of Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass abundance has moderated in response to limited natural recruitment in the recent past. Most Largemouth Bass captured during a spring electrofishing survey were young fish less than five-years-old. Average size of the electrofishing catch decreased to 10.3 inches. Black Crappie and Bluegill populations remain healthy and anglers can expect moderate abundance and size structure for both species. Most crappie captures during the 2015 survey were two-year-old fish, but age distribution of the catch extended to age 9. Crappie lengths at time of capture ranged from 3.8 to 14.0 inches. Bluegill catches were well within the upper range of expected catches for lakes similar to Lake Miltona. Age assignments for captured Bluegills extended to age 10. Average length of Bluegills captured during the 2015 survey was 5.6 inches, but due to the broad age distribution of the population sample, 8.0-inch and larger captures were common. The largest Bluegill measured during the 2015 survey was 9.2 inches.

Northern Pike are not abundant in Lake Miltona. Most captures in 2015 were small. Average size in 2015 was 21.2 inches and 2.3 pounds. Two, 29.0-inch pike were measured.

Yellow Perch abundance has declined from high levels found throughout the mid-2000s, but gill net catch rates can still be qualified as moderate when compared to similar Minnesota lakes. The majority of this population is comprised of smaller individuals but a few captures approached 10.0 inches in length.

Other species collected during the 2015 survey include Bowfin (dogfish), Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. The next lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2019.

Fishing pressure on Lake Miltona can be heavy at times, during both open water and winter seasons. To help maintain fishing quality, anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for eating. Releasing medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and should provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

What is the average air temp for Lake Miltona?

Are there any state parks near Lake Miltona?