Fountain Lake

How big is Fountain Lake?

How deep is Fountain Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Fountain Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Fountain Lake?

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 Fountain Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Fountain Lake

Are there boat launches on Fountain Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Fountain Lake?

Fountain Lake is a 534 acre lake located in Freeborn County. Most of the lake is within the city of Albert Lea and much of the shoreline has been modified for residential and municipal development. The city of Albert Lea maintains two public accesses on the lake; one located at North Edgewater Bay on the northwest end of the lake and one in the narrows on the northeast end of the lake. Fountain Lake has a maximum depth of 14.0 feet and is classified in Lake Class 42 based on limnological variables and lake characteristics. Other lakes in this classification include Kohlmeier Lake (Steele County), Swede's Bay (Le Sueur County), and Louise Mill Pond (Mower County). Fountain Lake is managed primarily for Walleye, Channel Catfish, and Northern Pike and secondarily for Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. The base stocking plan for Fountain Lake included stocking Walleye fry on odd-numbered years and Northern Pike fry on even-numbered years. If fall electrofishing surveys reveal low catch rates of Walleye fingerlings, the previous spring fry stocking is deemed unsuccessful and Walleye fingerlings are stocked that same fall. Aeration systems on Fountain Lake limit the occurrence of severe winterkills, but in the event of a winterkill all managed game fish are stocked to boost the fish community. Fountain Lake was surveyed the week of August 3, 2015 by the MN DNR as part of a regular scheduled monitoring program. This survey included deploying seven gill nets and twelve trap nets to assess the fish community, as well as recording water quality parameters. Since Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in nets, a night electrofishing survey was also conducted on May 27, 2015 to assess the Largemouth Bass population.

Walleye
The Walleye catch rate in 2015 was 6.2 fish/gill net, which was consistent with the previous Fountain Lake survey conducted in 2011 (6.0 fish/gill net). The total length of Walleyes in gill nets ranged from 11.8 to 25.5 inches and averaged 15.7 inches. This size structure was smaller than that of the 2011 Fountain Lake survey when the average length was 20.6 inches and the largest Walleye was 27.2 inches. Walleyes were aged using otoliths and scales. Two year classes dominated the catch; age-2 (2013 year class) and age-4 (2011 year class). The average length at capture was 14.9 inches at age-2 and 18.9 inches at age-4. Walleye fry were recently stocked in Fountain Lake in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015. Walleye fry will be stocked next in spring of 2017.

Northern Pike
Northern Pike were sampled in 2015 at a rate of 7.3 fish/gill net, which was less than the 2011 survey rate (14.0 fish/gill net) and near the long-term average for Fountain Lake (8.2 fish/gill net). The length of Northern Pike ranged from 15.2 to 35.4 inches, but 89% of the catch was less than 24.0 inches. The population consists of a young age structure with fast growth. Average length at capture was 16.3 inches at age-1, 20.1 inches at age-2, 24.9 inches at age-3, 28.9 inches at age-4, and 32.7 inches at age-5. Northern Pike fry are stocked in Fountain Lake every other year. The next stocking will take place in spring of 2016.

Yellow Perch
The Yellow Perch catch rate in 2015 was 13.4 fish/gill net, which was the highest gill net catch rate on record for Fountain Lake and exceeded the long-term average (8.1 fish/gill net). The size structure of Yellow Perch was moderate, as 59% of the catch measured 8.0 inches or longer and the largest individual was 10.5 inches. About 65% of the aged fish were age-1 or age-2, so the population was composed primarily of young individuals. Yellow Perch averaged 6.5 inches at age-1, 8.3 inches at age-2, 9.0 inches at age-3, and 9.9 inches at age-4. Yellow Perch have not been stocked in Fountain Lake, so the population exists by natural reproduction. In the event of a severe winterkill in Fountain Lake, adult Yellow Perch would be stocked to boost the population.

Black Crappie
Black Crappies were sampled at a rate of 29.5 fish/trap net, which was greater than the long-term average for Fountain Lake (21.5 fish/trap net). The gill net catch rate was 42.3 fish/net, which was also greater than the long-term average (38.3 fish/gill net). The size structure of Black Crappies was moderate, ranging from 4.7 to 11.8 inches. About 39% of the Black Crappies sampled in trap nets measured 7.5 inches or longer. Black Crappies averaged 5.6 inches by age-1, 6.8 inches by age-2, 9.3 inches at age-3, 9.7 inches by age-4, and 10.3 inches by age-5. Black Crappies are not stocked in Albert Lea Lake, so the population exists from natural reproduction.

Bluegill
The Bluegill catch rate was 13.3 fish/trap net in 2015, which was right at the long-term average for Fountain Lake. The Bluegill population was composed of mostly catchable-sized individuals, as about 83% of the trap net catch measured 6.0 inches or longer. The largest Bluegill measured was 9.2 inches. Bluegills were aged using scales and averaged 3.8 inches by age-1, 5.7 inches by age-2, 6.6 inches by age-3, 7.9 inches by age-4, 8.1 inches by age-5, and 8.9 inches by age-6. Bluegills are not stocked in Fountain Lake unless a severe winterkill occurs.

Largemouth Bass
Since Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in gill and trap nets, a targeted survey was conducted on May 27, 2015 to assess the population in Fountain Lake. This survey involved night electrofishing near shore along established transects for about an hour to specifically target Largemouth Bass. A total of 57 Largemouth Bass were sampled (57.7 fish/hour), which ranged in total length from 3.1 to 14.2 inches. Only 21% of the fish measured 12.0 inches or longer, suggesting a small size structure. Most fish (68%) were age-1. Mean length was 5.0 inches at age-1, 9.7 inches at age-2, 12.8 inches at age-4, and 13.6 inches at age-5. Only 5 fish were sampled from gill nets (N = 4) and trap nets (N = 1). The Largemouth Bass population in Fountain Lake is completely self-sustaining.

Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish have been stocked in Fountain Lake since the 1980s to serve as an additional recreational fishing opportunity. However, stocking ceased in 2005 to observe if the population could sustain itself through natural reproduction. In 2015, Channel Catfish were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 4.3 fish/net, which was less than the previous survey conducted in 2011 (8.3 fish/net). Trap nets yielded 1.9 fish/net, which was also lower than the 2011 survey (13.8 fish/net) and below the long-term average for Fountain Lake (3.8 fish/trap net). The size structure of Channel Catfish was large, as 53% of the overall catch measured over 20.0 inches. The largest individual measured over 30.0 inches and weighed over 10.0 pounds. With a quality Channel Catfish population and numerous shore angling locations available, Fountain Lake offers a unique fishing opportunity in a south-central Minnesota lake.

Black Bullhead
The Black Bullhead population in Fountain Lake has remained relatively stable throughout the survey history, ranging from 27.5 fish/gill net in 1979 to 9.9 fish/gill net in 2015, and averaging 16.3 fish/gill net. The 2015 catch rate (9.9 fish/gill net) barely reached the interquartile range for Lake Class 42 (9.6 - 91.4 fish/gill net). Black Bullheads from both gear types ranged in length from 4.8 to 13.4 inches, with 59% measuring 9.0 inches or longer. Although bullheads are not targeted by anglers as often as years past, Fountain Lake still offers quality bullhead angling opportunities.

Other Species
Common Carp were sampled at rates of 0.8 fish/gill net and 1.1 fish/trap net, both of which were the lowest catch rates on record for Fountain Lake. Common Carp averaged 18.0 inches in length and the largest fish was 30.0 inches. White Suckers were common throughout the survey, as 115 fish were sampled in both gear types. White Suckers averaged 17.4 inches in length. Other fish species sampled throughout the survey included White Crappie (N = 6), Bigmouth Buffalo (N = 2), Yellow Bullhead (N = 48), and hybrid sunfish (N = 1).

Angling Summary
At the time of the 2015 survey, Fountain Lake offered quality fishing opportunities for numerous gamefish species, particularly Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Channel Catfish. With numerous year classes present and plans to continue stocking the lake with Walleye and Northern Pike, Fountain Lake should continue to offer great multi-species angling opportunities.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

-Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

What is the average air temp for Fountain Lake?