Lake Darling

Lake Darling

Size
1040ac
Boat Launch
No
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Darling
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye

Lake Darling Overview

Lake Darling Features

The Alexandria Chain consists of five lakes totaling over 6,000 acres and are connected by navigable channels. The lakes of this chain include; Victoria, Geneva, Le Homme Dieu, Carlos and Darling. Navigation between the channels can be difficult during periods of low water. Access to Lake Cowdry and Jesse is possible, but is difficult because of shallow water and submerged structure. Much of the shoreline is residential development and private resorts. Its proximity to Alexandria, Minnesota makes the chain popular for a variety of recreational activities during summer. In early spring, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) prohibits fishing in certain areas of the chain to protect spawning largemouth bass and crappie. The MDNR stocks all the lakes of the chain on an annual basis at a rate of 1 pound of fingerlings per acre of littoral area. One pound translates to 15 to 35 fish, depending on growth at the hatcheries. Private stockings do occur in addition to the MDNR. The Alexandria Chain consists of five lakes totally over 6,000 acres and are connected by navigable channels. The lakes of this chain include; Victoria, Geneva, Le Homme Dieu, Carlos and Darling. Navigation between the channels can be difficult during periods of low water. Access to Lake Cowdry and Jesse is possible, but is difficult because of shallow water and submerged structure. Much of the shoreline is residential development and private resorts. Its proximity to Alexandria, Minnesota makes the chain popular for a variety of recreational activities during summer. In early spring, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) prohibits fishing in certain areas of the chain to protect spawning largemouth bass and crappie. The MDNR stocks all the lakes of the chain on an annual basis at a rate of 1 pound of fingerlings per acre of littoral area. One pound translates to 15 to 35 fish, depending on growth at the hatcheries. Private stockings do occur in addition to the MDNR. The Alexandria Chain consists of five lakes totally over 6,000 acres and are connected by navigable channels. The lakes of this chain include; Victoria, Geneva, Le Homme Dieu, Carlos and Darling. Navigation between the channels can be difficult during periods of low water. Access to Lake Cowdry and Jesse is possible, but is difficult because of shallow water and submerged structure. Much of the shoreline is residential development and private resorts. Its proximity to Alexandria, Minnesota makes the chain popular for a variety of recreational activities during summer. In early spring, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) prohibits fishing in certain areas of the chain to protect spawning largemouth bass and crappie. The MDNR stocks all the lakes of the chain on an annual basis at a rate of 1 pound of fingerlings per acre of littoral area. One pound translates to 15 to 35 fish, depending on growth at the hatcheries. Private stockings do occur in addition to the MDNR. Recently, zebra mussels have been documented in the chain. As a result, strict regulations are in effect for people launching their boats. Be sure to check the regulations before launching.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Welcome to onX Fish

Start using onX Fish in Minnesota & Wisconsin today.

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
16
0Statewide Range74.63

Lake Darling Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Crappie
fish
10-11 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.38
0Statewide Range10.56

Lake Darling Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Largemouth bass
fish
9-16 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.42
0Statewide Range3.68

Lake Darling Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Northern pike
fish
14-34 in
Length Range
21 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
21.17
0Statewide Range19.6

Lake Darling Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Perch
fish
5-8 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.67
0Statewide Range43.55

Lake Darling Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-8 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
2.38
0Statewide Range8.58

Lake Darling Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Rock bass
fish
5-11 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.69
0Statewide Range4.26

Lake Darling Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
9-27 in
Length Range
18 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.67
0Statewide Range16.93

Lake Darling Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths