Swift

Swift Lake is a 357-acre lake with 6 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 52 feet located north of Longville, MN. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Swift Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in this class are generally deep, clear and irregularly shaped. Other Lake Class 25 lakes in the Walker Area include Boy, Birch, Blackwater, Girl, Hand, and Inguadona. The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie and Bluegill, and secondarily for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. A special regulation for Sunfish and Black Crappie (daily bag limit 10 Sunfish and 5 Black Crappie) was implemented March 2022 as part of the state-wide Quality Sunfish Initiative (QSI) which aims to protect or increase size of Sunfish populations. Black Crappie abundance increased from previous surveys and ranged in length from 4 to 15 inches. Bluegill abundance increased from previous surveys and fish up to 9 inches were sampled. Northern Pike abundance remained within management goals. Lengths ranged from 15 to 36 inches, with an average length of 21 inches and met population size structure goals. Yellow Perch numbers were within management goals, and fish up to 10 inches long were sampled. Other fish species sampled include Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Swift Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Swift Lake is a 352-acre lake located near Remer, MN. With a maximum depth of 52 feet, approximately 53% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. No public access is located on the lake, but the Swift River connects Swift Lake to Big Boy Lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Swift Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in this class are generally deep clear and irregular shaped lakes. This lake is primarily managed for black crappie, bluegill, and walleye and secondarily for northern pike and largemouth bass. Few fish were sampled during this survey, which was similar to previous surveys. The dominant fish species during this survey was northern pike up to 27 inches long. Few walleye were captured, but lengths ranged from 16 to 19 inches. A small number of black crappie were sampled with the majority less than 6 inches long. Few bluegill were sampled with the majority of them being six inches or larger. Other fish species available for anglers to catch are black bullhead, bowfin, brown bullhead, greater redhorse, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, cisco, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Swift Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines can't support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. The combined effects of all lakeshore owners "fixing up" their property can destroy a lake's valuable natural shorelines.Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. Natural lake bottom materials like silt or gravel are more ecologically productive than pure sand trucked in for a swimming beach. A tidy lawn and a sandy beach make great spots for sunbathing and swimming but do little to provide habitat for fish and wildlife. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.Only if more lakeshore owners manage their shoreline in a natural condition can fish and wildlife populations on Minnesota lakes remain healthy and abundant. More specific information on protecting or restoring shorelines and watersheds is available through the local DNR Fisheries office.

Swift Lake is a walleye-centrarchid lake that is found in ecological lake class #25. These are medium-sized lakes that are moderately deep, with hardwater.Most of the fish species sampled were within the first and third quartile for this lake class.Northern pike were present at lake class medians but were predominately small fish. Eighty-four percent of those aged were age 3 or younger. Growth rates were good, as indicated by calculated mean total length of these age classes: age 2-15.8" (n=16) and age 3-18.6" (n=13).Walleye abundance, as indicated by gill net catch, was at the first quartile level for this lake class. The fish sampled were of quality size with a mean weight of 2.4 pounds and a gill net PSD of 42. The lake has not been stocked since 1972.Yellow perch were sampled above the lake class median at 11.6/gillnet.All three of the bullhead species were sampled in this assessment, with black bullheads the most abundant.Black crappie and bluegill were sampled at the first quartile, quality-sized fish were present in both species, as indicated by a trap net PSD of 63 for bluegill and 67 for black crappie.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bluegill in Swift. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Swift. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Swift has a maximum depth of 52 feet and a mean depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Swift is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Swift in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.