---
type: lake
name: "Lake Darling"
county: "Douglas"
nearest_town: "Alexandria"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1050
max_depth_ft: 62
latitude: 45.91927
longitude: -95.39656
lake_score: 73
dnr_lake_id: "21008000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-darling
---

# Lake Darling

Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota, near Alexandria

- **Surface Area**: 1,050 acres
- **Max Depth**: 62 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 13.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 73/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Darling is a 1,050-acre lake near Alexandria in Douglas County, Minnesota. It reaches 62 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.4 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 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface). OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. 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 17, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach

## 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 17
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2017-03-31
- **Latest**: 2008-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Louise](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-louise) - 1.3 miles, 214 acres
- [Lake Henry](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-henry) - 1.5 miles, 152 acres
- [North Union Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/north-union-lake) - 1.6 miles, 118 acres
- [Cowdry Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/cowdry-lake) - 1.7 miles, 243 acres
- [Lake Agnes](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-agnes) - 2 miles, 137 acres
- [Lake Le Homme Dieu](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-le-homme-dieu) - 2.2 miles, 1,801 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.91927,-95.39656)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=21008000)
- [All lakes in Douglas County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county)

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