---
type: lake
name: "Cowdry Lake"
county: "Douglas"
nearest_town: "Alexandria"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 243
max_depth_ft: 52
latitude: 45.89975
longitude: -95.417
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "21010300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/cowdry-lake
---

# Cowdry Lake

Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota, near Alexandria

- **Surface Area**: 243 acres
- **Max Depth**: 52 ft
- **Average Depth**: 25 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 14.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Cowdry Lake is a 243-acre lake near Alexandria in Douglas County, Minnesota. It reaches 52 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 25 feet, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 14 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 18
- **Years of record**: 14
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-12
- **Latest**: 2013-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Brophy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/brophy-lake) - 1.3 miles, 297 acres
- [North Union Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/north-union-lake) - 1.3 miles, 118 acres
- [Lake Winona](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-winona) - 1.6 miles, 213 acres
- [Lake Darling](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-darling) - 1.7 miles, 1,050 acres
- [Lake Latoka](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-latoka) - 2 miles, 767 acres
- [Lake Henry](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-henry) - 2 miles, 152 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.89975,-95.417)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=21010300)
- [All lakes in Douglas County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/cowdry-lake)*