Silver Lake

How big is Silver Lake?

How deep is Silver Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Silver Lake?

What are the closest cities to Silver Lake?

Are there boat launches on Silver Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Silver Lake?

Silver Lake is a small (109-acre), natural, prairie lake located three miles south of Hawley, MN. It's the only lake in Clay County with no history of winterkill. Since the lake is located on the far western edge of the lakes' area and is within 25 miles of the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, it is subject to heavy recreational uses including water skiing, fishing, swimming, and jet skiing. The lake's small size and lack of vegetative cover make it vulnerable to over-harvest of fish.

Fish populations have improved greatly since Silver Lake was chemically reclaimed in 1985. Prior to the treatment, the lake had become infested with undesirable fish like Black Bullhead and Common Carp. Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, and Spottail Shiner were all reintroduced following treatment. During the twenty years since then, Northern Pike, White Sucker, and Black Bullhead have also found their way back into the lake.

Walleye and Channel Catfish fisheries were sustained by regular stocking, although catfish stocking has been suspended due to invasive species concerns in the source water (Red River). Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch reproduce naturally in Silver Lake. Populations of these species would probably do better with the presence of emergent plant cover like bulrush, but they are maintaining modest populations. Bluegills, in particular, seem to be holding their own with regular natural reproduction and the presence of fish over eight inches in length.

Northern Pike grow rapidly in Silver Lake during their younger life stages. Although the potential to grow extremely large pike is better in lakes with deep, cool, well-oxygenated waters and populations of Tullibee (Cisco), Silver Lake can produce pike over 30 inches regularly if they are not harvested first. Anglers are encouraged to voluntarily release pike longer than 24 inches in length and to keep smaller ones for eating.

It is hoped that gamefish populations will continue to help suppress populations of fish like Black Bullhead and White Sucker. Chemical treatment is an extremely expensive last resort. Anglers are urged to make sure not to accidentally introduce unwanted fish or other invasive species into the lake by dumping minnow buckets or draining bilges or livewells after fishing other lakes.

What is the average air temp for Silver Lake?

Are there any state parks near Silver Lake?