Agnes

Lake Agnes is a small (137 acres), productive basin located within the Long Prairie River watershed. Mean and maximum depths are 12 and 31 feet, respectively. Lake Agnes, along with lakes Henry and Winona, comprise a chain of lakes within the city limits of Alexandria. Lakes Agnes and Henry are broadly connected with a common "narrows" area between the two basins. A shallow sand and rock bar separates the two basins. This bar is only one to two feet under the water surface during normal water levels. A public access is located along the southwest shoreline. Boaters should note that motorized watercraft operation on Lake Agnes is regulated by a slow, no-wake restriction. A popular walking trail surrounds the majority of the lake and public ownership of portions of the southwest and northeast shoreline provides shore fishing opportunities. A handicapped accessible fishing pier is located in City Park on the northeast shore. A second public fishing pier is located on the south shore off the Central Lakes Trail. A standard MN DNR lake survey was completed in summer 2023 to assess the fish community. Gamefish populations continue to expand in this basin as water quality and clarity continue to improve and aquatic vegetation becomes more abundant. The shallow, productive nature of this basin results in fast growth and larger average size for most gamefishes. A quality Largemouth Bass population was evident in 2023. This population is currently protected by a special 12- to 20-inch protected slot limit. All bass 12 to 20 inches in length must be immediately released with one bass over 20 inches allowed in possession. Panfish species commonly targeted by anglers include Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. Black Crappie abundance has substantially declined in recent years due to a 2021 summerkill event that predominantly affected this species. Crappie fisheries are typically "boom or bust" in nature so hopefully this population recovers soon. Bluegill numbers have increased in recent years. The current population is characterized as moderate, in terms of both abundance and size structure. Yellow Perch are abundant. Harvestable-size perch are available but smaller fish tend to dominate this population. Northern Pike tend to exhibit lower abundance but larger average size on this basin. Record-high Walleye abundance was documented in 2023. Multiple year classes were sampled, with an average size of 16.6 inches and 2.2 pounds. Other fish species sampled in the 2023 survey included Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, and White Sucker. White Suckers were particularly abundant. The next lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2028. Lake Agnes is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels, which were first confirmed in 2022. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota see the following: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2017 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 10 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Lake Agnes. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Long Prairie River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Ten species were collected during this survey, indicating a relatively simple nearshore fish community. Only one species (Iowa Darter) was considered "intolerant" and four species (Black Bullhead, Commn Carp, Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish) were considered "tolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Lake Agnes.

Lake Agnes, along with Lakes Henry and Winona, comprise a chain of lakes within the city limits of Alexandria. Lakes Agnes and Henry are broadly connected basins with a common "narrows" on the north side of Lake Agnes and south side of Lake Henry. A 200-foot long sand and rock bar separates the two basins. This bar is only one to two feet under the water surface during normal water levels. Public ownership of portions of the southwest and northeast shoreline of Lake Agnes allows angler access to shore fishing opportunities. A handicapped accessible fishing pier is located in City Park on the northeast shore. Boaters should note that motorized water craft operation on Lake Agnes is regulated by a slow, no-wake restriction. A standard MN DNR lake survey was completed in June 2017 to assess the fish community. The fish population continues to recover following a fish kill event in the winter of 2010-2011. Black Crappie and Yellow Perch are abundant in Lakes Agnes and Henry. Large 2011 year-classes are present from both species. Black Crappie are growing slow, but most captures measured between 8 and 10 inches in length. Yellow Perch growth is moderate and many were between 7 and 10 inches in length. Bluegills are also present, although in lower numbers. Some larger Bluegills measured over 9 inches. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked in alternate years since 2004. Fingerling survival has been poor and Walleye abundance is low. Lengths of Walleyes caught ranged from 7 to 22 inches. Northern Pike abundance remains low, but high average size offers quality fishing opportunities. More than half of the Northern Pike caught during the survey were over 30 inches in length. Only a few adult Largemouth Bass were sampled during the 2017 survey. Numerous juvenile bass were observed during other surveys. In 2006 a harvest regulation was implemented that requires the immediate release of Largemouth Bass from 12-20 inches and allows only one fish over 20 inches in possession. The regulation is still in effect while this population recovers.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Smallmouth Bass in Agnes. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Agnes. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Agnes has a maximum depth of 31 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Agnes is from 2023.

Yes — Agnes has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.