Douglas County · 2,605 acres
Lake Carlos homes for sale
At roughly 2,605 acres and 163 feet at its deepest, Lake Carlos is a Douglas County lake where shoreline comes up for sale. Anglers come for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass, and Carlos, Alexandria, and Miltona are the nearest towns for supplies.
See every home for sale on or near Lake Carlos, from every brokerage.
See Lake Carlos homes for saleOpen the map around Lake CarlosLakeshore homes for sale on Lake Carlos, from every brokerage.
Lakeshore homes onlyActive listings from every brokerage, from NorthstarMLS through IDX Broker. Janet can be your buyer's agent on any of them.
The lake
About Lake Carlos
Lake Carlos is the deepest lake in Douglas County at 163 feet and the anchor of the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. Lake Carlos State Park occupies the north end near the city of Carlos.
Lake Carlos is the fourth-largest of the 24 Douglas County lakes on this site, and Lake Osakis is the largest. Only about 35% of it is under 15 feet deep (the DNR's littoral zone, where most aquatic plants grow), so most of the lake is deeper open water. It is one of the 5 Alexandria Chain of Lakes basins with a page here, with Lake Le Homme Dieu, Lake Darling, Lake Geneva, and Lake Victoria; together they cover about 6,513 acres.
From the middle of Lake Carlos, as the crow flies, it is about 3 miles to Carlos, 6 miles to Alexandria, and 6 miles to Miltona. Janet's office is in Alexandria.
Lake Carlos facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 2,605 acres |
| Maximum depth | 163 feet |
| Littoral (under 15 ft) | 35% |
| Shoreline | 12.8 miles |
| Public access | Yes, 4 DNR-listed accesses |
| Fish species (DNR survey) | walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass |
| Invasive species (DNR) | Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel |
| County | Douglas County |
| Nearest town | Carlos |
| Drive from Alexandria | about 9 mi to Carlos, 10 minutes |
| DNR lake ID | 21-0057-00 |
Figures from the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, pulled 2026-09-22.
Nearby
Towns on and near Lake Carlos
Other lakes nearby
What to know
Janet on the lakes
Lots on Lake Carlos that are level to the water tend to sell faster than steep lots with a long stairway down. Sunset exposure, lot width at the shore, and elevation all show up in what buyers pay.
The buying a lake home guide covers docks, septic, shoreland rules and financing in more detail.
We were in the market for a cabin and met Janet, with our first visit to a cabin we were interested in. Janet worked tirelessly to help us find a place that met our requirements. She was extremely knowledgeable of lakes, homes and their backgrounds. I would recommend Janet for any real estate needs.
Track record
Janet's sales near Lake Carlos
Of the homes Home Match Realty listed and sold, the closest to Lake Carlos is in Carlos, about 3 miles from the lake as the crow flies. The next closest are in Alexandria (both 4 miles).
The Broker Reciprocity logo marks sold data supplied by NorthstarMLS through its Broker Reciprocity program. Data believed to be accurate but should be independently verified. Properties displayed may be listed or sold by various participants in the MLS.
Talk to Janet
What would make Lake Carlos right for you?
Send Janet a note through the form below with the kind of place you want on Lake Carlos. She reads every message herself and replies personally.
If you are selling lakeshore, start with the selling a lake home guide or the home value form.
FAQ
Questions about Lake Carlos
Is there public access on Lake Carlos?
The Minnesota DNR lists public access at four points on Lake Carlos.
What fish are in Lake Carlos?
The DNR's surveys of Lake Carlos list walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The DNR has also confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels in the lake. Its DNR lake ID is 21-0057-00, and its LakeFinder page has the survey reports.
How deep is Lake Carlos?
Lake Carlos reaches 163 feet at its deepest and covers about 2,605 acres, with 12.8 miles of shoreline. That makes it the deepest of the 24 Douglas County lakes on this site.
Is the road to Lake Carlos plowed in winter?
It depends on the road, so ask before you buy. County and township roads are plowed by the public, and private or association roads are handled by the owners along them.
From the blog
Reading about Lake Carlos
Lake, Cabin and Land
Alexandria Chain of Lakes: Check the Channels Before Buying for a Boat
Buying on Alexandria's Chain of Lakes for the boating? Check each channel's depth and bridge clearance against your own boat before counting on every lake.
Selling
Selling a Lake Home: Timing, Docks, and Buyer Questions
When to list a Minnesota lake home, what to do with the dock and lift, and the well, septic, shoreline and access questions lake buyers always ask a seller.
Lakes
Lake Miltona vs Darling vs Carlos: A Buyer's Comparison
Lake Miltona, Lake Darling and Lake Carlos compared for home buyers: acres, depth, clarity, public access, drive to Alexandria and what each shoreline costs.
Ready when you are
Talk to Janet about Lake Carlos
Shoreline moves fast in spring. A short call now puts you first in line.