East Silent

East Silent Lake is a 310-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately six miles west of Dent, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 45 feet; however, 18% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 14.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 12.5 to 22.0 feet. The east shoreline of East Silent Lake has been extensively developed. Development is also scattered along the north and south shorelines. Homes, cabins, and two resorts compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned public water access is located off of County Road 41 along the west shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are extremely rare. Walleye and Northern Pike are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of East Silent Lake; however, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie abundance has increased in recent surveys. A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Northern Pike populations. Walleye abundance has declined over the most recent series of surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 11.3 to 23.7 inches with an average length and weight of 17.5 inches and 1.9 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.5 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has increased slightly over the most recent series of surveys. Northern Pike ranged in length from 11.8 to 29.5 inches with an average length and weight of 19.0 inches and 1.5 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 25.3 inches at four years of age. Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 8.7 to 18.9 inches with an average length and weight of 12.3 inches and 1.3 pounds. Smallmouth Bass attain an average length of 13.8 inches at four years of age. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.4 to 12.4 inches with an average length of 9.9 inches. Black Crappies attain an average length of 9.9 at five years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality fishing that this lake has to offer 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. East Silent Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2018. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive 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.

East Silent Lake is a 310-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately six miles west of Dent, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 45 feet; however, 18% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading was 20.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 12.5 to 22.0 feet. The east shoreline of East Silent Lake has been extensively developed. Development is also scattered along the north and south shorelines. Homes, cabins, and resorts compose the majority of the development. A county owned public water access is located off of County Road 41 along the west shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as hardstem bulrush or common cattail are extremely rare. Walleye and Northern Pike are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of East Silent Lake. Walleyes ranged in length from 10.4 to 27.0 inches with an average length and weight of 17.7 inches and 1.9 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.1 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike ranged in length from 16.7 to 33.9 inches with an average length and weight of 22.1 inches and 2.4 pounds. Northern Pike growth is fast with an average length of 26.1 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality fishing that this lake has to offer 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. East Silent Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2018. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive 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.

East Silent Lake is a 310-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately six miles west of Dent, MN. The immediate watershed is primarily composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 45 feet and 18% of the lake is fifteen feet or less. The secchi disk reading was 12.6 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 12.5 22.0 feet. The east shoreline of East Silent Lake has been extensively developed. Development is also scattered along the north and south shorelines. Homes, cabins, and resorts compose the majority of the development. A county owned public water access is located off of County Road 41 along the west shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as hardstem bulrush or common cattail are extremely rare. East Silent Lake is a popular Walleye angling lake. Walleye is a primary management specie and data from recent lake surveys indicate that they are abundant. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.2 to 25.0 inches with an average length and weight of 15.9 inches and 1.5 pounds. Walleye growth is fast as they attain an average length of 15.3 inches at four years of age. A low-density Northern Pike population exists due to a lack of suitable spawning habitat. Pike ranged in length from 16.7 to 30.8 inches with an average length and weight of 22.2 inches and 2.6 pounds. Northern Pike grow fast with an average length of 23.1 inches at four years of age. Bluegills are abundant. Bluegill size structure is good as 44% were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.2 inches at six years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality fishing that this lake has to offer 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye, and Bluegill in East Silent. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

East Silent has a maximum depth of 48 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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