Carlos

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lake Carlos was conducted beginning on August 20, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 24 sampling stations. A 50-foot seine was used to sample 20 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 4 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 33 species of fish, including 9 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and 3 species that are tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a survey conducted by area fisheries staff in July of 2024 to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Long Prairie River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Lake Carlos supports recreational angling opportunities for numerous game fish species, including Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Black Crappie. Additionally, 33 species were captured in the recent nearshore survey, showing Lake Carlos supports a remarkable degree of fish diversity. Of these, an impressive 14 species were members of the minnow family. You can help protect the fish species in Lake Carlos by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Lake Carlos is a 2,605-acre basin located approximately four miles north of Alexandria. It is the largest and deepest basin making up the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. Average and maximum depths are 50 and 163 feet, respectively. Heavy residential development surrounds most of the shoreline. The lake's outlet forms the headwaters of the Long Prairie River. The outlet dam was modified to a rock arch rapids in 2021 and is now a popular starting destination for tubers, canoeists, and kayakers that float the Long Prairie River. Lake Carlos has very good water quality and high water clarity. Like other lakes within the Alexandria Chain, water clarity has increased substantially following zebra mussel infestation. Water clarity measurements on Lake Carlos can now exceed 20 feet during summer months. Because of its clarity and navigable connections to other lakes (Darling and Le Homme Dieu) comprising the Alexandria Chain, Lake Carlos is a very popular destination for both recreational boaters and anglers. Four public access locations are available on Lake Carlos. The west and north accesses have a loading/unloading dock, are deeper, have ample parking, and are better suited for launching larger boats. The north access is located within Lake Carlos State Park and use requires a Minnesota State Parks permit. Other amenities within Lake Carlos State Park include a fish cleaning station and public swimming beach. The northeast and east accesses are relatively small and have limited parking. The Rotary Beach access on Lake Le Homme Dieu, which is located close to the channel connecting these two lakes, is also frequently used to access Lake Carlos. A standard fisheries survey was completed during summer 2024 to assess the fish community and gain updated estimates of abundance and size structure of gamefish populations. Survey results revealed a fish community typical of many bass-panfish lakes found throughout west-central Minnesota. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are abundant and provide a very popular fishery. In fact, the Alexandria Chain of Lakes is host to several bass tournaments throughout the year. Both bass species tend to grow relatively slow in Lake Carlos and these populations tend to be dominated by medium-sized fish. However, Largemouth Bass exceeding 19 inches and Smallmouth Bass exceeding 20 inches were sampled during the 2024 survey. Panfishing is also popular, especially during the open water season. Black Crappie, Bluegill, hybrid sunfish, and Pumpkinseed are abundant. Larger crappie and hybrid sunfish are relatively common, whereas most Bluegill and Pumpkinseed tend to be smaller individuals. Panfish anglers willing to do some sorting should be able to find harvestable-size fish. Yellow Perch are not abundant and most are too small to be of interest to anglers. The Northern Pike population is characterized as having high abundance and moderate size structure. Larger pike are present but "hammer handles" (i.e., small pike) comprise most of this population. Average size in 2024 was just 20.4 inches and 1.9 pounds. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small pike. Northern Pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase pike size structure. Lake Carlos is in the North-Central Zone, where all pike 22 to 26 inches must be released. Anglers can keep 10 pike but not more than two can be longer than 26 inches. For more information on Northern Pike zone regulations see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pike/index.html. Walleye anglers will likely encounter low to moderate numbers of harvestable-size fish. Average size in 2024 was 16.0 inches and 1.7 pounds. The Walleye population is supplemented with annual fingerling stockings by the MN DNR. Fingerlings are also stocked under private permit by the Lake Carlos Association. Other species sampled during the 2024 survey included Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (dogfish), Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Rock Bass, Greater and Shorthead Redhorse, and White Sucker. Burbot have also been sampled in Lake Carlos, which is the only lake in the Glenwood Management Area known to support this species. Tullibee (Cisco) are also abundant in Lake Carlos but are typically not sampled with standard survey gear. The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2028. Lake Carlos is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Zebra mussels were first confirmed in 2009. Eurasian watermilfoil was first confirmed in 2012. Regulations restricting bait harvest and transport of water apply to this basin. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html. Lake Carlos is designated as a "Tier One" lake in The Sentinel Lakes Program. This intensive long-term lake ecosystem monitoring program was initiated to detect and understand the physical, chemical, and biological changes occurring in Minnesota's lakes. For more information on The Sentinel Lakes Program see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/slice/index.html.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Lake Carlos was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff beginning 26 July 2021. Twenty-four sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 24 sites. A 50-foot seine was used to sample 21 sites, a 15-foot seine was used at two sites, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at one sampling site. Nearshore sampling captured 27 native species of fish including nine species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted on 26-29 July 2021 by IBI Program Staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Bluegill, Common Carp, and Walleye comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 22 lakes and the average length was 5.2 inches, with 4% over 7 inches. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2020 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Long Prairie River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Carlos. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Carlos has a maximum depth of 163 feet and a mean depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Carlos is from 2024.

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