Swan

Swan is a small-sized lake (351 acres) located northwest of the Town of Silver Lake in McLeod County. A state-owned access with a small gravel parking area and a single cement boat ramp is present on the east shore. A small fishing dock is also present at the east access. A larger, county-owned access, is available on the lake's north shore with paved parking and a single cement boat ramp. There is a large fishing pier present at the Swan Lake County Park on the north shore along with a smaller fishing dock to the west of the pier. Swan has approximately three miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of around twelve feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Swan is a class 43 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Winsted and Hook Lakes in McLeod County. Swan's 2022 lake management plan listed Walleye and Black Crappie as the primary management species, while Channel Catfish were a secondary species. Swan Lake is typically aerated during the winter to reduce winterkill frequency and severity. Netting was completed in October 2025 to evaluate the fish population following a rare late-summer fish kill. Dead fish species observed in late September 2025, included Walleye, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Black Bullhead, Spottail Shiner, Yellow Perch, sunfish, Largemouth Bass and Common Carp. Walleye were the most abundant dead fish counted during the kill. Very low numbers of fish (seven) were sampled in the one gill net that was set. Walleye were not sampled in either of the gears, but since only one gill net was set, they may still be present in lower numbers. A total of 459 age-2 Walleye were stocked in mid-October to help the population recover. Walleye fry are also scheduled to be stocked in 2026. It may take a couple of years for the Walleye population to recover from the late summer fish kill. Black Crappie seemed to be less affected than Walleye by the mortality event. Moderate numbers of crappie were sampled in the trap nets, but most were small, averaging 5.2 inches in length. However, some keeper-sized crappie were encountered. Maximum crappie length was an impressive 13 inches. Some keeper-sized Bluegill were also captured in the trap nets, with fish averaging almost 6 inches in length. Maximum Bluegill length was nearly 9 inches. Additional fishes sampled in the nets included Channel Catfish, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local MNDNR office. Additional information on all these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Swan Lake on September 26th, 2024, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. A total of 104 YOY were sampled for a catch rate of 104.0 fish/h, which was above the lake's historical (1995-2024) median (5.3 fish/h). This indicated that an abundant YOY year class was present. In 2024, the average length for YOY was 4.3 inches, which was well below Swan's historical average (6.3 inches). Walleye fry were stocked in 2024. In 2024, a total of 8 yearlings were sampled for a catch rate of 8.0 fish/h, which was above Swan's historical (2022-2024) yearling median (4.5 fish/h) and was the lake's highest yearling catch rate on record. The average length for the yearlings was 11.4 inches and was below Swan's historical yearling average (12.2 inches).

A fall nighttime electrofishing Targeted Survey was conducted at Swan Lake on September 28, 2022, to evaluate young of the year Walleye (YOY) and yearling Walleye (YRL) abundance. A total of 539 YOY were sampled for a catch rate of 539.0/hour, which was the highest catch rate ever recorded at Swan and was within the lake's historical fourth quartile (> 10.5). The 2022 year class appears strong in abundance and was possible due to the new Walleye fry stocking regime initiated in 2022, when fry replaced fingerling stocking. The mean length for YOY was only 4.4 inches, which was within Swan's historical first quartile (< 5.4), indicating slow growth (within the first quartile) for this lake. The 2022 YOY mean length was the shortest on record for Swan Lake. In 2022, 1 yearling was sampled, for a catch rate of 1.0/hour. This was the first year that yearlings were collected during fall nighttime electrofishing at Swan Lake. The 2022 year class appeared abundant at the end of the first growing season but may not recruit to adulthood if the small average size compromises their ability to survive their first winter. Followup assessments will shed light on the fate of the 2022 year class.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed in Swan. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Swan has a maximum depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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