---
type: lake
name: "Fountain Lake"
county: "Freeborn"
nearest_town: "Albert Lea"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 522
max_depth_ft: 14
latitude: 43.66555
longitude: -93.38087
lake_score: 53
dnr_lake_id: "24001800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/fountain-lake
---

# Fountain Lake

Lake in Freeborn County, Minnesota, near Albert Lea

- **Surface Area**: 522 acres
- **Max Depth**: 14 ft
- **Shoreline**: 14.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 1.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 53/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Fountain Lake is a 522-acre lake near Albert Lea in Freeborn County, Minnesota. It reaches 14 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 14.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.7 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white 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 are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city. Ice typically goes out around April 6, based on 111 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Picnic Area

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, 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**: April 6
- **Years of record**: 111
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-03
- **Latest**: 1953-04-30

## Nearby Lakes

- [White Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/white-lake) - 1.6 miles, 168 acres
- [Pickeral Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/pickeral-lake) - 2.8 miles, 588 acres
- [Albert Lea Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/albert-lea-lake) - 3.8 miles, 2,669 acres
- [Bear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/bear-lake) - 10.3 miles, 1,033 acres
- [Lake Geneva](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/lake-geneva) - 10.3 miles, 1,884 acres
- [Freeborn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county/freeborn-lake) - 10.7 miles, 2,034 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.66555,-93.38087)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=24001800)
- [All lakes in Freeborn County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/freeborn-county)

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