Star Tribune article names lakes in Southern Minnesota

Albert Lea’s Fountain Lake was named one of the seven great ice-fishing spots in southern Minnesota, according to an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune last week.

The article stated there are several fishing spots in the southern part of the state that don’t get the attention they deserve.

“I think a lot of that has to do with aesthetics,” said Brian Schulz, assistant regional fisheries manger with the Department of Natural Resources in New Ulm, in the article. “In the southern part of the state, you have many prairie lakes that are often surrounded by corn and soybean fields. They’re not as easy on the eyes, you could say, but the fishing can be really, really good during the winter. The region as a whole is one of the best-kept secrets in the state.”

He said though southern Minnesota has never been considered a destination for ice anglers, it should be.

Other bodies of water included were Prior Lake, French Lake, Tetonka Lake, Washington Lake, Lake Shetek and the Mississippi River backwaters.

The article described Fountain Lake as being 521 acres with two city-owned accesses. The lake is an impoundment that forms the headwaters of the Shell Rock River.

Mark Conley, owner of The Dam Bait Shop in Albert Lea said “constant weather changes” have slowed the overall bite. People in luck of finding walleye have generally had “nice-sized fish when you catch them.”

He said the crappie bite has been most consistent, producing many 10- to 13-inch fish.

Laura Lunde with the Lakes Foundation of Albert Lea said she was excited to see Fountain Lake mentioned in the article.

“We are getting noticed at the state level, and I certainly hope that it continues,” Lunde said. “Our area businesses could stand to benefit by attracting visitors. I love our lakes so this story made me smile.”

The work comes as area organizations have made efforts to improve the water quality of Fountain Lake. The Shell Rock River Watershed District plans to begin dredging in 2016.