Swamp River Reservoir

The Swamp River Reservoir supports a very simple fish commmunity consisting of large numbers of small northern pike, and smaller numbers of white sucker, yellow perch and burbot. No minnows of any type were collected in small-mesh trap nets used as part of this survey, and even adult northern pike in this lake have been known to prey on insects, presumably because other forage is scarce. Yellow perch were stocked in the 1980s to provide forage for northern pike, and are now self-sustaining through natural reproduction. Walleye fry were stocked several times, but the species did not become established. As has been the case in all past surveys of this lake, northern pike were abundant but small in 2013, although growth rates had apparently improved since perch were introduced. When collected in early July in this survey, three-year-old pike averaged 15 inches long, and four-year-old fish averaged 18 inches long. The largest pike collected measured 23 inches. Yellow perch were not abundant but were relatively large. A substantial proportion of the catch in this survey exceeded nine inches, and the largest fish reached 11 inches.

Northern pike were abundant, but were small. Three-year-old fish averaged only 15.9 inches in length when captured in early July. There was evidence that the introduction of yellow perch to serve as forage had resulted in an improvement in northern pike growth, compared to pre-introduction rates.The yellow perch introduction has not only benefited northern pike, it has resulted in the establishment of a reproducing, high-quality yellow perch population that may be of some interest to anglers. Yellow perch as large as 13 inches were collected in 1998, and many were larger than nine inches.Attempts to introduce walleye apparently failed. Although walleye fry were stocked several times, none have ever been collected in assessments.

Northern pike were abundant, but were small and slow-growing. Four-year-old fish averaged only 18 inches in length when captured in early July. Even though growth was still slow, there was good evidence that the introduction of yellow perch to serve as forage had resulted in an improvement in northern pike growth, compared to pre-introduction rates.The yellow perch introduction has not only benefited northern pike, it has resulted in the establishment of a reproducing, high-quality yellow perch population that may be of some interest to anglers. Yellow perch as large as 13.5 inches were collected in 1998, and many were larger than nine inches. Yellow perch growth had been fast by area standards.Attempts to introduce walleye apparently failed. Although walleye fry were stocked several times, none have ever been collected in assessments.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch and Northern Pike in Swamp River Reservoir. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Swamp River Reservoir. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Swamp River Reservoir has a maximum depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Swamp River Reservoir is from 2013. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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