Swan Lake

How big is Swan Lake?

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What kind of fish can you catch in Swan Lake?

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Are there boat launches on Swan Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Swan Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Swan Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Swan Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

Swan Lake is a class 22 lake located on the south side of Pengilly, MN. The lake has one public access and the shoreline is highly developed with almost 500 homes/cabins. The lake management plan indicates Walleye and Northern Pike as the primary species of management with Black Crappie as secondary species. In 2005, a 17 to 26 inch protected slot length limit with only one Walleye over 26 inches in possession was implemented. The 2018 survey was conducted to help evaluate the special regulation.

Swan Lake has experienced similar trends in Northern Pike catches that have been observed statewide; that is more and generally smaller since the first survey in 1948. Lower density populations are desired because they usually result in better growth and larger fish, especially for Northern Pike. In the last four surveys, the catch has exceeded the management goal of 5.0 fish/net; ranging from 6.8 fish/net in 2005 to 8.3 fish/net in 2018. In 2018, the sampled fish ranged from 15.6 to 36.0 inches and averaged 22.9 inches. Seven year-classes were identified with fish from age 2 to 8 represented. Age-2 through -4 fish represented 77% of the sample. Northern Pike growth was good compared to statewide averages with fish averaging 24.2 inches after four years. Swan Lake can provide quality Northern Pike fishing opportunities at times; however, anglers are encouraged to release fish longer than 26 inches in order to maintain the quality that exists.

Walleye catch rates have fluctuated from as low as 2.0 in 1985 to as high as 11.1 fish/gill net in 1954. Although the 2018 Walleye catch of 7.1 fish/net did not attain the management goal, it exceeded the average catch for lakes with similar habitat. The size distribution was quite diverse; with good representation of smaller fish in the sample. The sampled fish ranged from 7.4 to 28.4 inches and averaged 14.2 inches.

Annual Walleye fry stocking at lower density appears to be providing consistent recruitment and a diverse size distribution. Sixteen year-classes were identified with fish from 1 to 23 years old. Age-1 and 2 Walleye represented 27 and 22% of the sample. These year-classes appeared to be quite large. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages through age 10. Walleye averaged 15.6 inches after four years of growth. The apparent large year-classes of young fish should provide some harvest opportunities in the next few years prior to them growing into the protected slot.

Yellow Perch gill-net catch rates fluctuated from a low of 10.4 fish/net in 1954 to a high of 63.0 fish/net in 1984. The catch had been fairly stable in the last three surveys ranging from 24.6 to 30.2/net but declined to a new low of 8.9 fish/net in 2018. However, the catch was not below levels commonly observed for other lakes with similar habitat. The sampled fish ranged from 4.7 to 9.8 inches and averaged 6.6 inches. The Yellow Perch population is likely more important to the fish community as a prey source than for anglers to target.

Tullibee can be difficult to sample but are important to fish communities as a prey source. Tullibee catch rates have been as low as 0.9 fish/net and as high as 22.1 fish/net since 1948. The catch of 3.9 fish/net in 2018 followed the lowest catch on record for Swan Lake in 2013 (0.9/net). The sampled fish ranged from 7.9 to 18.3 inches and averaged 12.6 inches. Though the fish were not aged, it would appear that at least three age-classes were present based on the size distribution.

What is the average air temp for Swan Lake?