Sylvan

Sylvan is a 98-acre lake located in northern Cass County. It has a maximum depth of 26 feet with 64 percent ofthe lake less than 15 feet deep. State Highway 87 abuts the north end of the lake. Though it is not a designatedpublic access, some anglers launch boats at the lake's northwest corner along the state highway right-of-way.The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has categorized Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classesbased on each lake's physical or chemical characteristics. Sylvan is in Lake Class 29. Other local lakes in thisclassification include Beuber (7 miles west), Pine (12 miles north) and Rainy (3 miles west). The only previoussurvey work on Sylvan was an August 1966 lake survey.The catch rate of walleye (1.0 fish per experimental gill net), was within the middle range for lakes of thistype. Sylvan could be described as having somewhat lower numbers of large walleye. Walleye ranged from 20.0 to26.9 inches, had an average length of 22.5 inches, and an average weight of 4.2 lbs. Walleye were 6 to 8 yearsold and average length at age 5 for these fish was 19.5 inches. No walleye were caught during the 1966 survey,but the 1966 survey states "occasionally a large walleye is caught".The gill net catch rate of northern pike was 7.3 fish/net, which is within the middle range for lakes of thistype. Northern pike ranged from 8.0 to 35.2 inches, and had an average length of 21.2 inches. Average size ofnorthern pike sampled in 1994 was larger than in 1966. The average weight in 1994 was 2.8 lbs compared to 1.4 lbsin 1966. Growth rates appeared to be similar to other Class 29 lakes in this area. An average northern pikewould be 22.7 inches when it became 5 years old. Gill net catch of yellow perch in 1994 (6.5 fish/net) was within the middle range for this lake type. Yellowperch ranged from 5.0 to 8.9 inches and most of the measured yellow perch were 5 or 6 inches long. Bluegill trap net catch rates in 1994 (107.3 fish/net) and 1966 (67.6 fish/net) both exceeded the middle rangefor Lake Class 29. Most bluegill sampled in 1994 were small; about 80 percent were in the 4-inch and 5-inchlength groups. Average weight in 1994 was 0.1 lbs/fish compared to 0.3 lbs/fish in 1966. Growth of bluegill in1994 was slow. By the time they reached age 5, the average bluegill was just 4.5 inches long.The 1994 trap net catch rate of black crappie (1.6 fish/net) was within the middle range for this lake type butwas less than one-tenth of the 1966 catch rate (20.0 fish/net). Gill net catch of black crappie in 1994 (2.8fish/net) was near the average for this lake class and was similar to the 1966 catch (3.0 fish/net). Average sizeof black crappie in 1994 was less than in 1966; average weight in the 1994 sample (0.24 lbs) was slightly lessthan the 1966 sample (0.3 lbs). Black crappie ranged from 6 to 10 inches in the 1994 survey and only about 5percent of the crappie were in the 10-inch group. Black crappie grew more slowly in Sylvan than in some otherlocal Class 29 lakes; an average fish would be 7.6 inches when it reached the age of 5 years. A total of 9 largemouth bass were sampled by trap net and gill net combined. Largemouth bass sampled by thesetwo methods ranged from 10.2 to 16.3 inches. These fish had a mean length of 12.6 inches. No largemouth basswere sampled in the 1966 survey. In the 1994 survey the average largemouth bass was 11.2 inches at age 5.Yellow bullhead were abundant in the 1994 sampling. Yellow bullhead averaged 9 inches and 0.4 lbs. Other speciessampled during the survey included brown bullhead, black chin shiner and johnny darter.To maintain and promote a healthy fish population on Sylvan, lake shore residents and other users of the lakeshould protect fish habitat by preserving natural shoreline, aquatic vegetation, and lake bottom. Lake shoreresidents can also help preserve Sylvan's water quality by such actions as having a properly built and maintainedseptic system; by avoiding the use of lawn or garden chemicals near the lake; and by establishing a buffer stripof natural vegetation along their shoreline. Anglers can help maintain fishing quality by practicing "Catch andRelease" of larger fish.

Sylvan Lake is located eight miles north of Pine River in Cass County. Sylvan Lake is 98 acres, has 1.7 miles of shorelline and has a maximum depth of 26 feet. There are no inlets or outlets located on the lake. The shoal water soil is composed of 95 percent sand. A secchi reading of 8.7 feet was recorded and the total alkalinity was 107.5 p.p.m.Testnetting indicated a good population of northern pike, yellow perch, yellow bullhead, bluegill and black crappie. The spawning area for northern pike is fair and good for centrarchids. Black grub (Neascus) and yellow grub (Clinostomum marginatum) were the only parasites found on the examined fish. Neascus was found on 100 percent of the northern pike, yellow perch and bluegills examined.Past Angling History: The kind and number of fish caught has changed greatly in recent years. This was formerly an excellent bass lake, but only one (known) has been caught this year. The number of perch and small northerns have increased. The size of bluegills caught has increased slightly. Occasionally, a large walleye has been caught.Stocking History 1933-1943:Walleye Fry 1,105,450Walleye Fgl 7,480Bass Fgl 910Northern pike Fry 107,440Sunfish Fgl 6,000Crappie Fgl 2,300Closed to darkhouse spearing in 1945-46.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill in Sylvan. 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 Sylvan. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Sylvan has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sylvan is from 1994. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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