Alexander

Lake Alexander (DOW# 49-0079-00; Lake Class 22) is a 2,708-acre lake located near Randall, Minnesota. There are two Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramps located on the east and west shores. Lake Alexander has 16.26 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 64 feet. The lake is currently managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Muskellunge. Lake Alexander has had a long history of Walleye (WAE) stocking dating back to the 1940s. Through 1992, fingerlings were predominantly stocked, but occasionally yearling or adult fish were utilized. No WAE stocking occurred in 1993 and 1994. Fry stocking was initiated on a biennial basis in 1995 and continued through 2011. Management changed to fry stocking in two of three years in 2011 and changed again to annual stocking in 2014 when little or no natural reproduction was documented in past non-stocked years. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Lake Alexander was not stocked with fry in 2020. The management plan changed in 2014 to annual fry stocking at alternating rates to determine if a lower rate would meet population management goals. In even numbered years, the lake was stocked with 2,500,000 fry and in odd numbered years 1,250,000 fry. After 2019, a decision was made to maintain fry stocking at the higher rate as it appeared more successful at meeting management goals. Fall night electrofishing is conducted annually on Lake Alexander to gauge the success of WAE fry stocking or natural reproduction on unstocked years. A fall night electrofishing survey (EW) targeting young of year Walleye (YWAE) was conducted on September 23, 2025, to evaluate YWAE abundance following fry stocking. Juvenile and adult Walleye (WAE) were also netted and measured. EW has been conducted annually on Alexander since 2014. In 2025, a total of 14 juvenile and adult WAE were captured ranging in length from 11.5 to 24.4 inches, no YWAE were captured or observed by biologists. Catch rates in other EW surveys conducted since 2007 have produced CPEs ranging from 733.1/hour (2007) to 6.2/hour (2023), with a median CPE of 128/hr. Catch rates in the last 7 EW surveys have fallen well below the median, with none exceeding 46/hour. Zebra mussels were first detected in Lake Alexander in 2019, and there appears to be a strong negative correlation between the abundance of Zebra Mussels and YWAE CPE in EW surveys. Water clarity has been increasing in Lake Alexander since the detection of Zebra Mussels, an effect which has also been documented in other systems and is resultant of the planktivorous feeding strategy of Zebra Mussels. Vegetation has increased in some areas of historical stations which have previously provided quality YWAE habitat. However, stations still provide quality habitat overall that YWAE should be utilizing as of 2025. Due to low fall YWAE catch rates in four consecutive assessments, a management decision was made to stock WAE fingerlings in 2023. These fish were present in the 2024 gillnet survey, showing survival and assumed future recruitment to the fishery. Fingerling may be stocked in the future if they are available and doing so appears necessary.

A targeted survey consisting of summer gill nets, spring electrofishing, and fall electrofishing for juvenile Walleye was performed in 2024 on Lake Alexander. Gill nets are designed and used to sample Walleye, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. In Lake Alexander, Smallmouth Bass are also sampled effectively with gill nets. Bluegill, Cisco, Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie are usually seen to a lesser extent since they typically occupy different habitat than where gill nets are placed. Spring electrofishing is our best evaluation tool for assessing Largemouth Bass populations. Lake Alexander is included in a statewide study examining the potential effects of Zebra Mussels on Walleye populations and therefore will be surveyed every three years. The average gill net catch rate for Walleye (since 1980) is 6.9 fish/gill net which is near the management goal of 6.6/lift. Extreme observations were found in 1994 and 2021 at 14.1 and 2.9 fish/gill net, respectively (the 2021 CPE is the lowest on record). The catch rate observed in 2024 was 4.87/lift coming in well below management goals but typical of catch rates evident from 2006 to 2024. All age groups from 1-10 were represented in the 2024 gill nets in addition to a small number of older fish. Individual growth measured specifically for this survey revealed average length at capture for ages 2, 3 and 4 to be 13.9, 17.5, and 18.6 inches, respectively. These growth rates are considered to be within the normal range for the work area. The size structure management objective is for 50% or more of the catch to measure between 12 and 20 inches. Walleye from 12 to 20 inches comprised 60% of the 2024 gill net sample. Fry stocking has been practiced annually since 2014 with the exception of 2020 when no stocking took place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Night electrofishing (EF) in the fall has been used to evaluate young of the year Walleye (YWAE) abundance from spring fry stocking or natural reproduction since 1994. Fall electrofishing completed in 2024 captured seven (7) young-of-year Walleye. Catch rates in the last six fall EF assessments have been well below the median and have not exceeded 46/hour. Fall electrofishing catch rates routinely exceeded 100 fish per hour prior to 2019. Zebra Mussels were first discovered in Lake Alexander in 2019. There appears to be a strong association between declining fall YWAE catch rates and increasing Zebra Mussel abundance. This relationship will be monitored closely in future years. An increase in vegetation at some of the electrofishing sites may also be impacting catch rates. Due to low fall YWAE catch rates in four consecutive assessments, a management decision was made to stock 10,943 WAE fingerlings (981 pounds) in 2023. Only one individual from the 2023 year class was sampled in the 2024 gill nets. Two yearlings were observed during fall electrofishing in 2024. Future fingerling stockings may take place if fall electrofishing catch rates remain below 40/hour. Though not conclusive at this time, the relatively low gill net catch rates evident in 2021 and 2024 may indicate a period of declining recruitment as also suggested by the fall electrofishing results. Naturally reproduced Walleye were rarely observed in non-stocked years in fall EF or summer gill net surveys on Lake Alexander in the past. The 2020 fall EF catch of YWAE (46/hour) was the highest catch rate observed for naturally produced fish. The 2020 year class appeared in the 2024 gill nets in similar numbers to the 2022 year class and in higher numbers than the 2019 year class. These results indicate further analysis of natural reproduction should be continued. The Northern Pike catch rate in the 2024 gill nets was 3.13/lift and comparable to the 3.0 fish/gill net observed in 2021. Pike relative abundance in Lake Alexander, as indicated by standard gill nets, has remained essentially unchanged for the past 30-plus years. Catch rates have remained at desired levels since 1994 ranging from 1.2 to 3.7/lift during that timeframe. Analysis of changes in pike size structure resulting from the special regulation (24"-36" protected slot, one over 36" allowed, three in possession) enacted in 2003 is less clear. Sample percentages of pike greater than 24 and 30 inches from spring large-frame trap nets (LTN), and standard survey gill nets, pre and post regulation, show little sustained improvement. Pike taken in the 2024 gill nets averaged 21.7 inches long and the longest fish was 27.5 inches. No pike greater than 30 inches have been captured in gill nets since 2014 though they have maintained their presence in spring trap nets. Yellow Perch numbers have been mainly lower since 2010 averaging 8.5/lift over 5 surveys. From 1980 to 2006 the average catch rate was 28.7/lift. Perch were sampled at a rate of 9.1/lift in the 2024 gill nets. The mean length of perch in 2024 was 6.43 inches and six fish exceeded 8 inches. The reduced numbers of perch apparent since 2010 cannot be explained by any increase in predator numbers as Northern Pike, Muskie, Walleye, and bass numbers have remained stable. The decline in adult perch abundance has been occurring on a statewide basis and is currently under investigation by DNR Research staff. Smallmouth Bass are effectively sampled by gill nets in Lake Alexander though catch rates vary considerably. This variability continues to be evident as the 2024 catch rate was 3.93/lift as opposed to a much higher rate of 9.6/lift observed just 3 years ago in 2021. Mean length in the 2024 gill nets was 12.3 inches and 12% of the smallies were over 16 inches long. Management objectives desire a catch rate of at least 3/gill net lift with 10% or more of the sample over 16 inches. Spring electrofishing netted 45 smallmouth producing a catch rate of 25.4 per hour. Average size of electrofished bass was 13.9 inches and 20% were longer than 16 inches. A catch rate of 32.9/hour was noted in 2018, the last time spring daytime electrofishing was performed. Largemouth Bass were the primary target of spring daytime electrofishing. The 2024 effort provided 131 bass for a catch rate of 73.8 per hour. Past daytime efforts date back to 2010 with all three showing catch rates above 120 per hour. Average length was 13.3 inches in 2024 and 21% of the bass exceeded 15 inches. Although the catch rate was lower in 2024, the average length and proportion of bass over 15 inches were both greater than the previous daytime efforts. No Ciscoes were caught in the 2024 survey which is not unusual occurring in 4 of 12 surveys since 1980. The absence of Cisco in the gill nets is not believed to indicate that this species is no longer present. White Sucker were also absent from the 2024 gill nets which is a common occurrence for this species. Spring trap netting for Muskellunge has provided much more pertinent data regarding suckers. Yellow Bullhead numbers have shown a noticeable decline following the introduction of Muskellunge, remaining below 1 per gill net since 1998. A total of 16 Black Crappie were measured when combining the gill net and electrofishing samples. Larger crappies characterized the catch with 5 of 16 fish greater than 12 inches and only 2 fish under 10 inches. Maximum length was 13.2 inches.

Lake Alexander is a 2,708-acre lake located near Randall, Minnesota. The lake has 16.26 miles of shoreline, a maximum depth of 64 feet, and a littoral area of 842 acres. The primary management species is Walleye. Secondary management species include Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. The Walleye population on Lake Alexander is managed through annual stocking of 2,500,000 fry. This stocking strategy has maintained a population that sustains a very good recreational fishery. Recent documentation of a significant natural year class (2020) when no stocking occurred due to COVID19 shutdowns may lead to future adjustments to stocking strategies to allow assessment of natural reproduction. Night electrofishing in the fall has been used to evaluate young of the year Walleye abundance from spring fry stocking or natural reproduction since 1994. Fall electrofishing in 2023 was completed on September 19, to assess Walleye fry stocking survival. For the first time, electrofishing efforts failed to document the presence of young of the year Walleye following a fry stocking. Prior to 2023, the 2022 fall electrofishing catch rate (8.5/hour) of young of the year Walleye was the lowest rate observed on Lake Alexander in a fry stocked year. Catch rates in prior fall assessments ranged from 21.4/hour (1997) to 733.1/hour (2007) with a median catch rate of 114.0/hour. Catch rates in the last four fall assessments have been at or below the 1st quartile (34.0/hour) established from previous assessments on the lake. The fall 2020 catch of young of the year Walleye (24.5/hour) was the highest catch rate observed for naturally produced fish. These results indicate further analysis of natural reproduction should be continued by adjusting stocking schedules and continuing fall electrofishing assessments in both stocked and non-stocked years. Historically, fall electrofishing catch rates of juvenile Walleye have been a good predictor of future year class strength in summer gill net surveys. Analysis of fall electrofishing catches showed that, in general, high fall catch rates have typically corresponded with higher catches in future gill net surveys. Low fall catch rates, however, do not always signify poor year classes as represented by future gill net catches. Fall catch rates as low as 21.0/hour have been well represented in future gill net surveys above the third quartile (2.3/net). Other years with low fall electrofishing catch rates produced significant year classes of more than 1.5/gill net. Due to low catch rates in the last four fall young of the year assessments a decision was made to stock 10,943 Walleye fingerlings (981 pounds). Mixing fry and fingerling stocking in 2023 will confound analysis of future gill net catches of this year class although it will probably be assumed, right or wrong, that fish came from fingerling stocking. Nine Walleyes were sampled during the survey ranging from 9.7 to 17.8 inches in total length. Seven yearlings were sampled and averaged 10.4 inches in total length. Catch rate of yearling Walleye was 5.6/hour. Juvenile and adult Yellow Perch were present in good numbers as were Shiner species. Various sunfish species were abundant at some sites and some Bluegill approaching 8 inches were observed. Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Rock Bass were also common. A few Northern Pike and adult White Suckers were observed. The electrofishing crew observed that electrofishing stations appeared to contain good habitat conditions for juvenile Walleye.

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

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

Alexander has a maximum depth of 64 feet and a mean depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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