Swenson Lake

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A standard survey was conducted during mid-June of 2015 in Swenson Lake. Swenson is a small sized (108 acres), shallow (14 feet maximum depth), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. The surrounding watershed is comprised mostly of agricultural row crops with small areas of woodland and wetland areas. The immediate shoreline area consists mostly of undeveloped woodlands (hardwood trees) with small areas of wetlands, row crops, and residential homes. Agricultural row crop runoff (via inlets) is the primary source of nutrient pollution into Swenson. Nutrient levels were high during 2015. There are three small to moderate sized inlets (north, west, and south shores) that flow thru wetland areas into Swenson. The outlet connects to Shakopee Creek. Water levels were below normal during the spring and fall, but normal in the summer of 2015. Water clarity (secchi reading) was good (7.0 feet) during June, but poor (1.7 feet) by early August of 2015. Blue-green algae blooms are common and intense during the mid-summer months in Swenson Lake. Submergent vegetation was limited to water moss in 2015. Other aquatic vegetation species present included sago pondweed and filamentous algae during past surveys. Emergent vegetation consists mainly of bulrush and cattail species scattered throughout the shoreline areas. Swenson Lake is managed for Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. Swenson has been a popular winter fishery for Black Crappie numbers, but the average size had been small in recent years.

Northern Pike numbers were low in 2015 (1.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range and Swenson historical average (5.63 fish/gillnet). The 2015 Northern Pike average size was large (6.15 pounds and 27.9 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.65 pounds from gillnets. There were two Northern Pike over 33.0 inches captured in the gillnet sets. Although Northern Pike numbers are historically variable in Swenson, growth rates have been excellent and large fish over 30.0 inches were frequently sampled in survey nets since 2001.

Black Crappie numbers were low in 2015 (1.30 fish/trapnet) as compared to the previous 2010 survey (210.20 fish/trapnet, 7.7 inches average) and historical average (33.10 fish/trapnet). The 2015 Black Crappie size was moderate (0.41 pounds and 8.7 inches) from trapnets. The 2011 year class comprised 53% of the 2015 Black Crappie survey catch. Black Crappie growth rates improved due in part to lower population numbers compared to the previous 2010 survey.

Black Crappie sizes were unchanging (8-9 inches) and growth rates appeared stunted based on June trapnetting from 2010-2013. The nature of boom and bust Black Crappie populations and subsequent stunting due to depletion of the forage base during boom years is not uncommon in smaller lakes. Overly abundant and stunted Black Crappie populations may be more susceptible to die offs due to stressful winter conditions, low dissolved summer oxygen conditions, or disease outbreaks (i.e. 2012 columnaris event in nearby East Solomon) especially during above average water temperatures. No Black Crappie die offs were reported during recent winter or summer months for Swenson, however smaller fish species like Black Crappie are not readily observable and more apt to stay on the lake bottom after dying during the winter unlike larger species (i.e. Walleye, Common Carp, etc.) which often float to the surface after ice out.

Yellow Perch numbers were low to moderate in 2015 (11.50 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 18.29 fish/gillnet for Swenson Lake. The 2015 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.21 pounds and 7.7 inches) and similar to the historical average (0.22 pounds) from gillnets. Yellow Perch growth rates were good in Swenson.

Bluegill numbers were moderately abundant in 2015 (8.70 fish/trapnet) and similar to the Swenson historical average (8.35 fish/trapnet). The 2015 Bluegill average size was small (0.15 pounds and 5.8 inches) compared the historical average (0.23 pounds) from trapnets. The 2015 Bluegill survey catch was comprised mostly of younger fish (2013 year class). Bluegill growth rates were excellent in Swenson.

Walleye numbers were moderate to low in 2015 (6.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range and Swenson historical average (8.98 fish/gillnet) for Swenson. The 2015 Walleye average size was moderate (1.71 pounds and 17.2 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.60 pounds from gillnets. Most of the Walleye captured in the 2015 survey were between 16.0-18.0 inches and from the 2011 year class (stocked). Walleye natural reproduction in Swenson is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Recent Walleye fryling (2.0-3.0 inch size) stockings occurred in 2009 (27,000 fish), 2010 (40,062 fish), 2012 (31,218 fish) and 2014 (31,690 fish). Walleye yearlings (9.0-12.0 inch size) were last stocked in 2012 (565 fish, 226 pounds). Young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye abundance was high in 2010 (63.00 YOY/hour, 5.9 inches average) and 2014 (210.00 YOY/hour, 6.1 inches), but low in 2012 (9.00 YOY/hour, 6.8 inches average) fall electrofishing surveys.

Largemouth Bass numbers were low (12.75 fish/hour) in the 2015 spring electrofishing survey compared to other area lakes, but good for Swenson. The 2015 Largemouth Bass average size was large (2.09 pounds and 15.3 inches) from spring electrofishing. Largemouth Bass growth rates were fair in Swenson.

Black bullhead numbers were low in 2015 (9.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range and Swenson historical average (121.25 fish/trapnet). The 2015 Black Bullhead average size was large (0.93 pounds and 11.7 inches) from gillnets.

Common Carp numbers were low in 2015 (0.20 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (3.29 fish/trapnet) for Swenson Lake. The 2015 Common Carp average size was moderate (5.81 pounds and 23.0 inches) from trapnets.

Current fish management activities on Swenson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Swenson fishery will be sampled in the 2019 summer for all fish species and 2016 fall for YOY Walleye abundance.

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