Freeborn

Douglas County, Minnesota — DOW #21016200

174 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Freeborn has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

247.63

Acres

18 ft

Max Depth

12 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Freeborn. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	11.0	—	—	12
2016-08-31	15-ft beach seine	0.5	—	—	1
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	5.8	—	—	35
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.5	1.09 lb	14
1999-08-23	Standard electrofishing	97.3	—	0.45 lb	73
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.29 lb	3
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	1.34 lb	2
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	2.10 lb	1
2004-08-23	Standard electrofishing	97.5	—	2.06 lb	50
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.19 lb	3
2009-08-25	Standard electrofishing	39.2	—	1.34 lb	31
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	1.72 lb	3
1994-08-22	Standard electrofishing	46.0	—	2.21 lb	46
1994-08-22	Survey seining	1.2	—	—	6
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	1.15 lb	1
2014-08-25	Standard electrofishing	157.2	—	0.97 lb	141
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	1.24 lb	8

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	443.1	—	—	482
2016-08-31	15-ft beach seine	18.5	—	—	37
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	514.5	—	—	3087
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	14.0	—	0.22 lb	84
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.3	—	0.22 lb	8
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	14.8 (normal)	5.9 – 43.3	0.15 lb	133
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	4.0	—	0.23 lb	12
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	3.5 (below normal)	5.9 – 43.3	0.18 lb	28
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.26 lb	3
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	5.8 (below normal)	5.9 – 43.3	0.14 lb	52
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.24 lb	3
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	3.9 (below normal)	5.9 – 43.3	0.13 lb	35
1994-08-22	Survey seining	80.8	—	—	404
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	11.3	—	0.17 lb	68
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	28.2 (normal)	5.9 – 43.3	0.17 lb	254
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	4.7	—	0.21 lb	28
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	22.0 (normal)	5.9 – 43.3	0.19 lb	198

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	34.9	—	—	38
2016-08-31	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	2
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	18.5	—	—	111
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.12 lb	1
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.13 lb	6
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	1.5 – 9.1	0.13 lb	34
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	22.0	—	0.16 lb	66
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	14.8 (above normal)	1.5 – 9.1	0.11 lb	118
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	7.0	—	0.15 lb	21
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	7.8 (normal)	1.5 – 9.1	0.13 lb	62
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 9.1	0.03 lb	2
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.08 lb	6
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 9.1	0.07 lb	2
1994-08-22	Survey seining	1.6	—	—	8
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.26 lb	4
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	1.5 – 9.1	0.16 lb	19
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	4.5	—	0.19 lb	27
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	1.4 (below normal)	1.5 – 9.1	0.16 lb	13

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	—	1
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	2.0	—	—	12
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	14.3 (above normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.29 lb	86
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.23 lb	5
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	3.3 (normal)	0.9 – 8.0	0.39 lb	30
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.62 lb	5
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.9 – 8.0	0.63 lb	9
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	36.7 (above normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.35 lb	110
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	0.9 – 8.0	0.35 lb	23
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.51 lb	8
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.9 – 8.0	0.36 lb	3
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.11 lb	2
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.9 – 8.0	0.09 lb	1
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	7.2 (normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.40 lb	43
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	0.9 – 8.0	0.40 lb	7
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.33 lb	7
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	4.2 (normal)	0.9 – 8.0	0.32 lb	38

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	2.8	—	—	3
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	23.7	—	—	142
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	18.3 (normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.08 lb	110
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 3.7	0.16 lb	5
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.11 lb	29
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	6.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.7	0.20 lb	54
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	78.7 (above normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.23 lb	236
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	6.3 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.7	0.11 lb	50
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	54.3 (above normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.12 lb	163
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.7	0.09 lb	2
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	12.0 (normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.07 lb	72
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.7	0.15 lb	1
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	17.3 (normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.15 lb	104
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	3.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.7	0.14 lb	33
1994-08-22	Survey seining	11.2	—	—	56
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	24.8 (normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.26 lb	149
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.7	0.23 lb	1
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	3.7 – 28.4	0.14 lb	4

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	6
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	19.3 (above normal)	2.3 – 9.2	2.13 lb	116
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	8.2 (normal)	2.3 – 9.2	1.35 lb	49
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	1.79 lb	16
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	2.3 – 9.2	2.05 lb	11
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	1.26 lb	7
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	5.7 (normal)	2.3 – 9.2	2.21 lb	17
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.50 lb	1
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	6.3 (normal)	2.3 – 9.2	2.55 lb	38
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.14 lb	3
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	9.5 (above normal)	2.3 – 9.2	1.96 lb	57
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	3.05 lb	3
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	4.2 (normal)	2.3 – 9.2	1.85 lb	25
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	2.16 lb	8
1994-08-22	Survey seining	0.8	—	—	4
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	8.8 (normal)	2.3 – 9.2	1.55 lb	53
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	3.0	—	1.28 lb	27

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	97.5	—	585
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	37.7	—	41

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	0.8	—	5
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	13.8	—	15

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	10.1	—	—	11
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	22.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 8.0	1.13 lb	137
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	6.2 (normal)	1.0 – 8.0	0.99 lb	37
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	5.7 (normal)	2.4 – 9.1	0.84 lb	51
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.4 – 9.1	0.83 lb	6
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	15.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 8.0	0.90 lb	95
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	13.0 (above normal)	2.4 – 9.1	1.07 lb	117
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	22.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 8.0	0.98 lb	134
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	1.1 (below normal)	2.4 – 9.1	1.14 lb	10
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.0 – 8.0	1.33 lb	2
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	2.1 (below normal)	2.4 – 9.1	1.08 lb	19
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	22.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 8.0	0.87 lb	132
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	13.8 (above normal)	2.4 – 9.1	0.96 lb	124

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-08-31	50-ft beach seine	11.7	—	70
2016-08-31	Backpack electrofishing	25.7	—	28
1994-08-22	Survey seining	0.6	—	3

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 5.5	0.96 lb	3
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 5.5	0.74 lb	3
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	11.0 (above normal)	0.6 – 5.2	0.27 lb	88
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.6 – 5.2	0.49 lb	8
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 5.5	0.55 lb	2
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.6 – 5.2	0.91 lb	25
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 5.5	0.76 lb	4
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 5.5	1.19 lb	4
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.6 – 5.2	0.44 lb	20
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	7.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 5.5	0.76 lb	47
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 5.2	1.23 lb	3
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.5	1.59 lb	2

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	3.1 – 47.6	1.10 lb	30
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.0 – 29.9	0.65 lb	4
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	2.8 (below normal)	3.1 – 47.6	1.09 lb	17
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	144.0 (above normal)	3.1 – 47.6	0.52 lb	432
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	15.5 (normal)	1.0 – 29.9	0.55 lb	124
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	1.0 – 29.9	0.49 lb	20
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	154.0 (above normal)	3.1 – 47.6	0.30 lb	462
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.0 – 29.9	0.87 lb	8
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	6.7 (normal)	3.1 – 47.6	0.71 lb	40
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	6.0 (normal)	3.1 – 47.6	1.42 lb	36
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	1.0 – 29.9	0.69 lb	34
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	19.5 (normal)	3.1 – 47.6	0.86 lb	117
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	3.1 – 47.6	1.11 lb	20

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	10.5 (above normal)	1.2 – 5.3	1.80 lb	63
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	13.8 (above normal)	1.2 – 5.3	1.68 lb	83
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	4.00 lb	6
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	9.7 (above normal)	1.2 – 5.3	1.45 lb	29
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.57 lb	3
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	11.3 (above normal)	1.2 – 5.3	1.61 lb	34
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	3.51 lb	12
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	4.2 (normal)	1.2 – 5.3	3.06 lb	25
2004-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	3.21 lb	6
2009-08-25	Standard gill nets	7.7 (above normal)	1.2 – 5.3	2.75 lb	46
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.8	8.64 lb	1
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	1.2 – 5.3	2.14 lb	8
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.8	3.01 lb	1
2014-08-25	Standard gill nets	6.7 (above normal)	1.2 – 5.3	2.31 lb	40
2014-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.31 lb	2

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.29 lb	1
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.17 lb	3
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.04 lb	1

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1985-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	7.30 lb	1
2009-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	11.78 lb	2
1994-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.5	1.05 lb	1
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	1.44 lb	1

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1985-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	2.05 lb	4
2004-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	2.41 lb	1
1994-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	3.58 lb	2

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Adrenaline Sports of Alex

Alexandria, MN

(320) 766-2675

★ 5

Alexandria Jet Ski/Pontoon Rental

Alexandria, MN

(320) 808-5887

★ 5

Bayside Rentals

Alexandria, MN

(320) 834-3990

★ 2.3

Boomerang Marine & Sports Alexandria Sales

Alexandria, MN

(320) 759-3163

★ 4.2

Carlson Dock and Barge - Miltona

Miltona, MN

(218) 943-3706

★ 4.8

Central Marine & Sports Inc

Carlos, MN

(320) 852-7380

★ 4.7

Resorts & Lodges Near Freeborn

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Freeborn.

Shady Creek Resort

Fishing Resort Brandon

(320) 876-2228

Westwood Beach Resort

Fishing Resort Brandon

(320) 834-4090

Woodland Resort

Fishing Resort Miltona

(877) 669-6637

Eden Acres Resort

Fishing Resort Alexandria

(320) 766-6000

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Freeborn. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Brown Bullhead Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Freeborn

Hatlestad Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(320) 314-2055

JS Guide Services, Mille Lacs, Alexandria

Fishing Guide

(320) 260-9056

Lakes Area Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(254) 644-5273

Pro Fishing Outdoors

Fishing Guide

(320) 815-7962

splash guards walleye masters

Fishing Guide

(218) 639-1769

Other Lakes in Douglas County

Plan Your Trip to Freeborn

Weather forecast for Freeborn — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 45.7943°N, 95.6171°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Freeborn

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

Black Crappie

Yellow Perch

Northern Pike

Golden Shiner

Fathead Minnow

Yellow Bullhead

Iowa Darter

Brown Bullhead

Black Bullhead

Walleye

Hybrid Sunfish

Common Carp

White Sucker

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Bosek Fisheries and Wholesale Live Bait

Brophy Bay Mart

Christopherson Bait and Tackle

Cowing Robards Sports

Dunham's Sports

Ip Lures

Joe’s Bait & Bullets

Lake's Area Bait Co

Nearby Marinas

Adrenaline Sports of Alex

Alexandria Jet Ski/Pontoon Rental

Bayside Rentals

Boomerang Marine & Sports Alexandria Sales

Carlson Dock and Barge - Miltona

Central Marine & Sports Inc

Resorts & Lodges Near Freeborn

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Freeborn

Other Lakes in Douglas County

Aaron

Agnes

Andrew

Anka

Blackwell

Brophy

Plan Your Trip to Freeborn