What Lake Andrew offers anglers

Lake Andrew is a shallow, weedy lake just outside Alexandria that holds walleye, northern pike, and panfish in a setting that rewards patience and precision. The lake runs about 1,200 acres and averages 8 to 10 feet deep, with extensive weed beds and a soft bottom—classic habitat for walleye that hunt at dawn and dusk, and pike that lurk in the vegetation year-round. If you're coming from Alexandria proper, you're looking at a short drive to a lake that fishes differently than the deeper, clearer lakes in the region. The shallow water and weeds mean you'll spend less time searching and more time working specific structure, but you'll also deal with algae blooms in summer and need to adjust your approach by season.

The character of Lake Andrew is defined by what it isn't: it's not a trophy lake, and it's not a place to run deep-water structure. It's a lake where a 24-inch walleye is a solid fish, where you can catch pike on topwater in July, and where a good day might mean 15 to 20 keeper-sized walleye rather than three giants. That makes it ideal if you want to fish actively, learn how shallow-water walleye behave, or bring someone new to the sport who wants consistent action.

Key Takeaways

  • Lake Andrew averages 8 to 10 feet deep with extensive weed beds, making it a shallow-water walleye and pike lake where structure matters more than depth.
  • Spring and fall are the most productive seasons; summer algae blooms can make midday fishing difficult, but dawn and dusk remain reliable.
  • Walleye respond to live bait (shiners, crawlers) and jigs tipped with minnows; pike will take larger presentations and topwater lures in weedy areas.
  • Public access is available at the city boat launch on the south shore; the lake has no size restrictions but does require a valid Minnesota fishing license.

Spring and fall: peak walleye seasons

Spring (April through May) is when Lake Andrew fishes best. Walleye move shallow as the water warms, and the weed beds haven't yet become so thick that they're difficult to work. Fish the edges of emerging vegetation in 4 to 8 feet of water using live shiners under a slip bobber, or cast jigs tipped with minnows along the weed lines. The bite is often strongest in the hour before sunset and continues into darkness. Early morning can be productive too, but the evening bite is more reliable on this lake.

Fall (September through October) mirrors spring in many ways: water temperature drops, walleye move back to the shallows, and the weed beds thin out as they die back. This is actually the easier season for a newcomer because you can see structure more clearly and don't have to pick through as much vegetation. Fish the same depths and presentations as spring, but expect the bite to peak a bit earlier in the day—often by mid-afternoon as the sun angle drops.

Summer: work around the algae and heat

Summer on Lake Andrew is a study in adaptation. The shallow water warms quickly, and algae blooms are common by July and August. This doesn't mean the lake is unfishable—it means you have to fish the edges and the timing. Walleye will move to the deepest available water (still only 10 to 12 feet in most spots) and become nocturnal. Your best bet is to fish from sunset through the first few hours after dark, or to wake up early and fish the hour before sunrise.

If you want to fish during daylight in summer, focus on the few areas with current or water exchange—the inlet and outlet if you can locate them—and fish deeper weed edges where the water stays slightly cooler. Pike, by contrast, will hunt in the weeds even in heat, and topwater lures can produce explosive strikes in low-light conditions. Avoid the middle of the day unless you're scouting for fall.

Winter ice fishing for walleye and pike

Lake Andrew freezes solid by late December and stays fishable through February. The shallow water means ice-out can come suddenly in late March, so check conditions before heading out. Winter walleye congregate in the deepest holes (9 to 12 feet) and respond to small jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads, or to live shiners under tip-ups. The bite is often slow during midday but picks up in the last hour before sunset.

Pike are also present under the ice and will take larger baits—6 to 8-inch shiners under tip-ups set in 6 to 8 feet of water near weed edges. Many anglers use a combination of jigging for walleye and tip-ups for pike, which keeps you active and covers more water. Bring a hand auger or power auger; the ice can be thick by January, and drilling multiple holes is standard practice.

Access, regulations, and what to bring

Public boat access is available at the city launch on the south shore of Lake Andrew, near the Alexandria city limits. The launch has parking and a paved ramp suitable for trailers. There is no size restriction on walleye or pike, and the daily bag limit follows Minnesota state regulations: five walleye per day (no more than one over 15 inches) and three pike per day. You'll need a valid Minnesota fishing license, available online or at any sporting goods store in Alexandria.

The lake is best fished from a boat because the weed beds make shore access difficult and unproductive. A 14 to 17-foot boat with a trolling motor is ideal; you don't need a large engine because the lake is small and you'll spend most of your time in shallow water. Bring a depth finder if you have one—it helps you locate the weed edges and the few deeper holes—but it's not essential. A net is useful because walleye and pike can be slippery in weeds.

Tackle and bait that work on Lake Andrew

Live bait is the most consistent producer. Shiners (4 to 6 inches) under a slip bobber work for walleye in spring and fall; crawlers and leeches are also effective. For pike, use larger shiners (6 to 8 inches) on a quick-strike rig or under a tip-up. You can catch shiners in the lake itself using a small seine or trap, or buy them at bait shops in Alexandria.

Jigs and soft plastics are your second option. A 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jig tipped with a minnow head or small plastic shad works for walleye in the weed edges. Pike will take larger jigs (3/8 to 1/2-ounce) and bigger plastics (4 to 6-inch swimbaits). Cast along weed lines and work the jig slowly—Lake Andrew walleye are not aggressive, and a fast retrieve often produces nothing.

Topwater and spinnerbaits are fun in low-light conditions, especially for pike. A small topwater plug or a 1/4-ounce spinnerbait with a white or chartreuse blade can draw strikes from pike in the weeds at dawn, dusk, or after dark. This is not a high-percentage approach, but it's exciting and can produce when other methods slow down.

How Lake Andrew compares to nearby waters

Lake Andrew is shallower and weedier than lakes like Carlos and Osakis, which lie a short drive away. Those lakes have deeper basins and clearer water, which means different fish behavior and different tactics. Lake Andrew rewards anglers who like to work shallow structure and don't mind dealing with vegetation. If you want to learn how walleye behave in weeds, or if you prefer consistent action over trophy hunting, Lake Andrew is worth the trip from Alexandria.

The trade-off is that Lake Andrew can be frustrating in summer and requires more attention to timing and presentation. But that's also what makes it interesting: it's a lake that teaches you something new each time you fish it, and it's close enough to Alexandria that you can fish it on a weekday evening after work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of day to fish Lake Andrew?

The hour before sunset through the first two hours after dark is most reliable year-round. Early morning (first hour after sunrise) is also productive, especially in spring and fall. Summer midday fishing is slow unless you're targeting pike in the weeds or fishing deep weed edges.

Can I fish Lake Andrew from shore?

Shore access is difficult because of the extensive weed beds and soft bottom. A boat is strongly recommended. If you don't have one, ask at the Alexandria city office or local bait shops about rental options.

Do I need a depth finder on Lake Andrew?

No, but it helps. The lake is small and shallow, so you can locate weed edges and deeper holes by sight and by feel (watching your line and jig). A depth finder speeds up the process and lets you find the few 10 to 12-foot holes where walleye congregate in summer.

What size walleye and pike can I expect?

Walleye typically run 12 to 18 inches, with 20-inch fish being solid catches. Pike average 18 to 24 inches, and fish over 30 inches are possible but not common. Lake Andrew is not a trophy lake, but it's a consistent producer of keeper-sized fish.

Is Lake Andrew good for beginners?

Yes, especially in spring and fall. The lake is small, the structure is visible, and the fish are willing. Summer and winter require more skill and patience, but spring and fall offer good action and a forgiving learning curve.