Minnesota's Underrated Lake Is A Perfectly Tucked-Away Paradise For Fishing, Swimming, Or Boating

The 1,800-acre Lake Le Homme Dieu is found just to the north of "the birthplace of America," Alexandria, Minnesota – found, that is, if you know to look for it. But despite being one of the Alexandria Chain of Lakes that attracts water lovers from miles around, Lake Le Homme Dieu is something of a local secret. Here, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of lake recreations in the water itself or along the lake's 10-mile shoreline and two sandy swimming beaches without the discomfort of too many rowdy crowds. 

Instead, Lake Le Homme Dieu is ideal for long, scenic fishing sessions, boating, and swimming, while the stunning nearby landscape offers ample hiking and biking opportunities to keep you entertained while not on the water. The area around the lake is now dotted with numerous luxurious lakeside vacation homes, many of which offer ideal accommodation for visitors without detracting from the chilled and relaxing atmosphere that makes the underrated Lake Le Homme Dieu such a well-kept secret in the first place.

Lake Le Homme Dieu is a paradise when it comes to fishing, particularly for those willing to take a boat out into deeper waters in search of some of the lake's more elusive catches. The lake has a maximum depth of 85 feet, making it ideal for relatively deep fishing. It is home to a wide variety of fish species, including largemouth and rock bass, walleye, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, as well as perch, suckers, and pike.

There are two boat launches on the north shore of Lake Le Homme Dieu. Boating on the lake is especially rewarding because, as part of the local chain of lakes, Le Homme Dieu allows you access to other nearby bodies of water which you are free to explore, such as Lake Geneva to the south and Lake Carlos to the north.

But you don't have to plan anything too complicated to make the most of Lake Le Homme Dieu. You can have an indulgently relaxing day simply reclining on its shoreline, especially if you find a spot on its long sandy beaches. There are two swimming beaches on Lake Le Homme Dieu, which are great for sunbathing, picnicking, and taking dips into the cool, clear water on warmer days.  

The area around Lake Le Homme Dieu is full of hiking routes suitable for all fitness levels. The Alexandria section of the Central Lakes State Trail begins with its trailhead in Big Ole Central Park to the south, and runs between Osakis Lake to the east and Fergus Falls to the northwest, a stretch of around 55 miles that makes for a multi-day challenge ideal for experienced hikers. For a more casual option, Lake Carlos State Park is around 10 miles north of Alexandria, and offers a pleasant loop of just under 3 miles through red oak forests on the lake's northwestern shore.

The closest airport to Lake Le Homme Dieu is St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC), which is 75 miles away on Interstate 94. Hector International Airport in Fargo, North Dakota, is 115 miles away. When it comes to accommodation, Berg's Resort offers family-friendly cabins with easy beach and water access right on the lake, with picnic tables and barbecue grills, and even fish cleaning facilities.

Looking for other great lake adventures? Minnesota is home to a quaint city on the shore of Lake Superior, while the state also boasts a summer vacation paradise in Voyageurs National Park that is well worth checking out.