If you’re an angler, and if you’ve ever traveled on Interstate 35 just north of the Iowa border, you’ve driven over Albert Lea Lake. Albert Lea Lake is named after the town on the western end of this body of water.

And, if you’re like most anglers, you’ve probably thought to yourself, “I wonder if there’s any fish in that lake?”

Well, in the not-so-distant past the answer would have been “Don’t bother, there aren’t enough fish in that lake to mess with.”

Today, the answer would be “Yep, Albert Lea Lake has a very good population of walleyes and perch, and Fountain Lake, which is connected to Albert Lea Lake and is right in downtown Albert Lea, is an outstanding body of water for largemouth bass and panfish. Both of these lakes are definitely worth your time.”

A few years ago both Albert Lea Lake and Fountain Lake were terribly polluted bodies of water. By-products of a packing plant were being dumped directly into the water, and the effect downstream was very detrimental to the ecosystems of the lakes and the waterways below.

Then some local entities stepped in. An effort ramrodded by the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club, a local group of anglers and outdoors-people, Shell Rock River Watershed District and city officials worked together to turn the two lakes into something area residents could be proud of and could enjoy.

Albert Lea Lake is shallow and doesn’t contain much structure. Some anglers fish from shore or wade at strategic locations, others ply the lake’s waters from a boat. Because of the mostly barren underwater landscape, trolling is often the preferred tactic. The walleyes will group loosely, and the more water covered, the more likely your chances for success. Crankbaits or spinners are good.

Because the water is mostly shallow and sometimes clear, planer boards can be very productive. If there are three anglers in the boat, put a board out to either side and try a flat line behind the boat. Let out plenty of line on the flat line, as you want to get it a good distance back to reduce the chances for spooking the walleyes. Generally, the rods with the boards will have the most action. Off Shore’s in-line boards with Tattle Flags will let you know when you might be pulling weeds or a small fish, and will also quickly let you know when a big one has your lure.

Fountain Lake provides some very good opportunities for lots of largemouth bass, and some trophy size largemouth.

Shorelines provide most of the largemouth habitat. Trees, docks, vegetation, and rip-rap will all hold fish. If you want, you can put the boat in the water and just start working the shoreline. Some shorelines will be more productive, but there are bass almost everywhere on the lake. Jigs, spinnerbaits, topwaters, shallow running crankbaits, they’ll all produce largemouth.

Albert Lea is home to the Freeborn County Historical Museum. Rock and roll legend Eddie Cochran and Marion Ross, Mrs. Cunningham from television’s Happy Days fame, are both Albert Lea natives and have areas in the museum devoted to them. The museum and its surrounding grounds are a fun and interesting place for an afternoon visit.

Additionally, Albert Lea is a Blue Zone area. Blue Zone areas are committed to providing a healthy life-style for its residents.