---
type: lake
name: "Albert Lea Lake"
county: "Freeborn"
nearest_town: "Albert Lea"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2669
max_depth_ft: 5.5
latitude: 43.63456
longitude: -93.31837
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "24001400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/albert-lea-lake
---

# Albert Lea Lake

Lake in Freeborn County, Minnesota, near Albert Lea

- **Surface Area**: 2,669 acres
- **Max Depth**: 6 ft
- **Average Depth**: 4 ft
- **Shoreline**: 23.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Albert Lea Lake is a 2,669-acre lake near Albert Lea in Freeborn County, Minnesota. It reaches 6 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 4 feet, and has roughly 23.8 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Freeborn County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.2 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 2021.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. OpenStreetMap shows Albert Lea Beach on or beside the lake. Backpack #5 and Backpack #4 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around March 31, based on 35 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area

### Beaches

- Albert Lea Beach

### Campgrounds

- Backpack #5
- Backpack #4
- Backpack #3
- Backpack #2

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Goldfish, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 31
- **Years of record**: 35
- **Earliest**: 2000-03-05
- **Latest**: 2013-04-18

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fountain Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/fountain-lake) - 3.8 miles, 522 acres
- [Pickeral Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/pickeral-lake) - 4.4 miles, 588 acres
- [White Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/white-lake) - 5 miles, 168 acres
- [Bear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/bear-lake) - 11.1 miles, 1,033 acres
- [Lake Geneva](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/lake-geneva) - 11.2 miles, 1,884 acres
- [State Line Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/state-line-lake) - 11.7 miles, 372 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.63456,-93.31837)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=24001400)
- [All lakes in Freeborn County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/albert-lea-lake)*