Cowdry

Lake Cowdry is a 243-acre moderately fertile basin located a few miles northwest of downtown Alexandria in Douglas County. Maximum and mean depths are approximately 52 and 25 feet, respectively. Lake Cowdry lies within the Long Prairie River watershed. Primary inflows come from Taylor Lake via a navigable (small boats only) culvert under Lake Cowdry Road NW. The lake outflows to Lake Darling via a channel that runs under the Central Lakes Trail. A concrete leveling sill within this channel limits navigation to mostly non-motorized watercraft (canoes, paddleboards, kayaks, etc.). Residential development surrounds the majority of the shoreline. Water quality and clarity are considered good and have further increased in recent years following zebra mussel infestation. Secchi disk readings often exceed 15 feet during summer months. A public water access is located on the northeast shore off of E Lake Cowdry Road. A standard lake survey was completed during summer 2025 to assess the fish community of Lake Cowdry. Survey methodology included electrofishing, gill nets, and trap nets. Survey results were indicative of a typical bass-panfish fishery found in smaller, heavily vegetated basins in west-central Minnesota. Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike were abundant but most of the catch was comprised of small- to medium-sized fish. Mean size of bass collected with electrofishing was 10.8 inches but bass up to 18.9 inches were sampled. Mean length of Northern Pike was 21.0 inches. Very few pike exceeding the upper end of the North-central zone protected slot limit (i.e., 26 inches) were captured. Anglers are encouraged to harvest these surplus smaller pike that are below the protected slot limit (i.e., 22 inches). Panfishes dominated net catches in 2025. Bluegill, Pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfishes are all abundant. These populations consist of mainly smaller fish in Lake Cowdry, but a few sunfish over 8 inches were observed in the survey. Bluegill growth rates are slow, most of the Bluegill over 8 inches were at least 10 years old. Black Crappie catch rates were low, but they are typically hard to sample in these mid-summer surveys. Large schools of Black Crappie were observed in shallow water during the spring Largemouth Bass survey. Yellow Perch were present but this population is limited and is typically not targeted by anglers. Walleye were also present in small numbers due to previous stockings and likely emigration from connected basins. Regular Walleye fingerling stockings were discontinued by the MN DNR in 2016 due to extremely poor survival of stocked fingerlings. The current stocking strategy consists of surplus stockings of larger Walleye, when available, to maintain a limited fishery. Other fish species sampled during the 2025 survey include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. The next standard MN DNR lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2031. Lake Cowdry is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels. This infestation was first confirmed in 2011. For more information regarding zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species in Minnesota, see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2019 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 Cowdry. 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. Twenty-one species were collected during this survey. Seven species (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) were considered "intolerant" and one species (Green Sunfish) was 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 Cowdry.

Lake Cowdry is a 243-acre lake located approximately 3 miles west of Alexandria. Maximum depth exceeds 50.0 feet. Average depth is 25.0 feet. Water quality proved to be very good at the time of the late-July survey. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations, measures of system productivity, were below expectations for lakes located within the North Central Hardwood Forest ecoregion. Water clarity is very good (17.0 feet) and improving. Thermal stratification occurs in summer months and can influence gamefish habitat use and system stability. For example, levels of dissolved oxygen were too low beyond 25.0 feet in depth in late July to sustain gamefishes. Lakeshore development is heavy and comprised of year-round homes, seasonal cabins, and one resort. Important fish habitats (e.g., emergent macrophytes, woody debris) are rare along the shoreline. Lake Cowdry does support a diverse submergent plant community on gravel, sand, and marl bottom soils. In response to excellent sunlight penetration, submerged plant growth has been documented at a depth of 16.0 feet. The lake's habitat characteristics are well suited for sunfishes, largemouth bass, and northern pike. Standardized fish surveys are conducted on Lake Cowdry every five years. Catch statistics from the 2013 survey continue to describe an abundant northern pike population. Gillnet catches consistently approach 10.0 fish/net. Most northern pike captured were small, averaging 20.6 inches and 2.0 pounds. The largest pike sampled during the survey measured 31.7 inches. Panfishes such as bluegill sunfish, black crappie, and largemouth bass support an active and popular fishery. Population abundance estimates have varied among past surveys in response to annual reproductive and recruitment inconsistencies. Despite a decline in catch rate in 2013, largemouth bass remained moderately abundant. Bass captured in 2013 averaged 13.6 inches in length. Warm water temperatures in late-July drove bluegills and black crappie into deep, cool habitats resulting in lower trapnet catch rates in 2013. Elevated catches in gillnets provided evidence that sunfishes remain moderately abundant in the system. Bluegill collected in gillnets averaged 6.4 inches. Two relatively strong year classes of black crappies were detected. Length at capture varied from 5.4 to 11.1 inches. Walleye fingerlings, yearlings, and some adults are stocked to sustain a fishery. A low gillnet catch rate of 2.7-fish/net describes a low density population. Walleyes are not abundant, but they are long-lived and can grow to memorable sizes. The largest sampled in 2013 measured 27.3 inches. Other fishes captured during the 2013 survey included pumpkinseed sunfish; rock bass; hybrid sunfishes; yellow perch; brown, yellow, and black bullheads; bowfin; white suckers; shorthead redhorse; and common carp. Tullibee were not captured in 2013. Catch rates among surveys describe a gradual decline in tullibee population abundance. Whether a response of climate change or other environmental stressors, Lake Cowdry may no longer provide necessary refuges (i.e., deep, cool, highly oxygenated habitats) for persistence of this coldwater fish species. Notes: Lake Cowdry is part of the extended Alexandria Chain of Lakes due to its connection to Lake Darling. Unlike the primary lakes comprising the Alexandria Chain, navigation between Lake Cowdry and Lake Darling is difficult and limited to small watercraft. A state-owned public access is located on the southeast shoreline. Zebra mussels were found in Lake Cowdry in 2011. Minnesota statutes require all equipment be free of invasive species prior to leaving any access. Consult your current fishing regulations handbook for rules and regulations pertaining to the cleaning of equipment.

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

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

Cowdry has a maximum depth of 52 feet and a mean depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cowdry is from 2025.

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