Freeborn County, Minnesota
Albert Lea Lake
Best fishing times today, in local lake time.
Today
Good day
Next major bite
4:31–6:31 PM CT- Major bite (moon overhead): 3:59–5:59 AM
- Minor bite (moonset): 12:44–1:44 PM
- Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:31–6:31 PM
- Minor bite (moonrise): 9:22–10:22 PM
- Sunrise
- 7:46 AM
- Sunset
- 6:06 PM
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 74%
Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.
Conditions
- Air
- 36°F
- Wind
- 5 mph E
- Sky
- Mostly Sunny
- Pressure
- 30.30 inHgRising (+1 hPa in 3 h)
National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KAEL at 6:55 AM CT.
7-day bite calendar
| Day | Rating | Major | Major | Minor | Minor | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 3:59–5:59 AM | 4:31–6:31 PM | 12:44–1:44 PM | 9:22–10:22 PM | Waning gibbous, 74% | |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 5:01–7:01 AM | 5:31–7:31 PM | 1:29–2:29 PM | 10:40–11:40 PM | Waning gibbous, 63% | |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 4:59–6:59 AM | 5:26–7:26 PM | 1:04–2:04 PM | 10:57–11:57 PM | Last quarter, 52% | |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 5:52–7:52 AM | 6:16–8:16 PM | 1:31–2:31 PM | — | Waning crescent, 40% | |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 6:40–8:40 AM | 7:03–9:03 PM | 12:12–1:12 AM | 1:54–2:54 PM | Waning crescent, 30% | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 7:26–9:26 AM | 7:48–9:48 PM | 1:24–2:24 AM | 2:14–3:14 PM | Waning crescent, 20% | |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 8:10–10:10 AM | 8:32–10:32 PM | 2:34–3:34 AM | 2:34–3:34 PM | Waning crescent, 13% |
What's biting on Albert Lea Lake in October
Albert Lea Lake covers 2,669 acres and is 5.5 ft at its deepest, so it has no deep, cool water to hold fish in summer. These are the sport fish DNR surveys found here, and what each typically does in October in Minnesota lakes.
- WalleyeFall walleye feed heavily on rocky points and breaklines; dusk and after dark are often best.
- Northern pikeFall pike feed heavily along the last green weeds and drop-offs.
- CrappieFall crappies school tightly in deeper basins and feed actively.
- BluegillFall bluegill move toward deeper weed edges and feed actively.
- Yellow perchFall perch school on deep flats and feed heavily.
- Channel catfishChannel catfish start moving downstream toward deep wintering areas.
Season notes: Minnesota statewide inland seasons from the DNR's 2026–27 fishing regulations. Check current regulations.
Fish in Albert Lea Lake
Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Albert Lea Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (June 14, 2021).
- WalleyeSpawns over gravel and rock in the shallows soon after ice-out, peaking in 42–50°F water; in summer it holds deeper and feeds in the shallows at dawn and dusk.
- Northern pikeSpawns in flooded, weedy shallows right after ice-out and keeps feeding in cold water, so it bites from spring through ice season.
- Black crappieSpawns in May and June in shallow water in the mid-60s °F; schools roam open water and feed most at night, dawn and dusk.
- White crappieSpawns like the black crappie, in May and June in mid-60s °F shallows, but prefers warmer, murkier water.
- BluegillNests in colonies in firm-bottomed shallows from late May through much of summer, in 67–80°F water; bigger fish feed in open water.
- Yellow perchSpawns in early spring, draping egg ribbons over weeds and brush, and bites eagerly on worms all year, including through the ice.
- Channel catfishSpawns in early summer in 75–80°F water in hollow logs and undercut banks, and winters in deep water out of the current.
Also found
- Bigmouth buffalo
- Black bullhead
- Common carp
- Goldfish
- Green sunfish
- Hybrid sunfish
- Orangespotted sunfish
- White sucker
- Yellow bullhead
Lake facts
- Area
- 2,669 acres
- Max depth
- 5.5 ft
- County
- Freeborn County
- Nearest town
- Albert Lea
- DNR lake ID
- 24001400
Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).
Nearby lakes
- Freeborn Lake13 mi
- Lura Lake38 mi · Blue Earth County
- Elysian Lake41 mi · Waseca County
- Tetonka Lake43 mi · Le Sueur County
- Cannon Lake43 mi · Rice County
- Madison Lake44 mi · Blue Earth County