First Silver

Silver Lake is a 547-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County one mile north of Battle Lake, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of grasslands interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 43 feet; however, 42% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 lake survey was 13.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 6.0 to 12.2 feet. The majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cottages. A DNR owned concrete public access is located along the north shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Several small stands of hardstem bulrush exist along the western and eastern portions of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Northern Pike populations. Walleye abundance has historically remained at a high level. The 2018 and 2019 year classes of Walleye are strong and should provide consistently good angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 10.9 to 23.1 inches with an average length and weight of 15.8 inches and 1.5 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.0 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has historically been low due to a lack of suitable spawning habitat; however, Northern Pike size structure has consistently been of a high quality. Northern Pike ranged in length from 22.1 to 30.8 inches with an average length and weight of 24.0 inches and 4.0 pounds. Northern Pike exhibit fast growth with an average length of 24.0 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Silver Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Silver Lake is a 547-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County one mile north of Battle Lake, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of grasslands interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 43 feet; however, 42% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2016 lake survey was 8.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 6.0 to 12.2 feet. The majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cottages. A state owned public access is located along the north shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Several small stands of hardstem bulrush exist along the eastern portion of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. Silver Lake can be ecologically classified as a Walleye-centrarchid type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie are the dominant gamefish species. Walleye is a primary management specie in Silver Lake. Walleye abundance has consistently remained at a high level. The 2013 and 2014 year classes appear to be strong and should provide consistently good angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.5 to 22.4 inches with an average length and weight of 13.9 inches and 1.1 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.5 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has historically been low due to a lack of suitable spawning habitat. Pike ranged in length from 20.2 to 28.0 inches with an average length and weight of 24.3 inches and 3.0 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 23.4 inches at four years of age. Bluegill abundance and size structure has historically fluctuated. In this survey, Bluegills were very abundant. Thirteen percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.1 inches at six years of age. Black Crappies are also abundant. The 2011 year class is strong. Seventy-six percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Crappies attain an average length of 10.1 inches at five years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.

Near shore fish sampling information was gathered to evaluate the fish index of biotic integrity (IBI). IBI data was collected in conjunction with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency watershed sampling. Fourteen 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat conditions. Sites where habitat conditions did not allow for seining were backpack electrofished unless conditions proved difficult for walking. These sites were backpack shocked from the boat. Fourteen fish species were represented, including young of the year gamefish species such as Bluegill and Largemouth Bass. Non-game species sampled included Logperch, Johnny Darter, and Mimic Shiner.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Hybrid Sunfish in First Silver. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

First Silver has a maximum depth of 43 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in First Silver is from 2022.

Yes — First Silver has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.