Anderson Lake near Alexandria: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  You will find Anderson Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. It runs to roughly 45 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. It is a small entry by Douglas County standards. Some 4.7 miles away sits Alexandria, the nearest settlement. Fargo sits 91 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Anderson Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Douglas County include largemouth bass, common carp and bluegill. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Take Anderson Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 70°F and January reads 8°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Plan around that when you fish Anderson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. This sits inside La Grande Wildlife Management Area, so read the reserve notices first. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Bjork Lake, 1.1 miles out. Rules at Anderson Lake are worth checking on the day.