West Silent

West Silent Lake is a 328-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 58 feet; however, 36% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 12.1 to 24.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cabins. A DNR owned public water access is located along the east shoreline of the lake off of County Road 41. A DNR owned carry-in public water access is located along the west shoreline. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered around the lake but are most prevalent in the west bay. Emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can absorb and breakdown polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. 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 spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. Catch and age data indicate that Largemouth Bass are extremely abundant and that successful reproduction consistently occurs at high levels. Bass ranged in length from 2.7 inches to 16.6 inches. Largemouth Bass growth is slow with an average length of 13.6 inches at five years of age. There are no special or experimental Largemouth Bass harvest regulations in effect for West Silent Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large 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. West Silent Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2021. 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.

West Silent Lake is a 328-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 58 feet; however, 36% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 12.1 to 24.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cabins. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the east shoreline of the lake off of County Road 41. A DNR owned carry-in public water access is located along the west shoreline. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered around the lake but are most prevalent in the west bay. Emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can absorb and breakdown polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. 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 reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (5 per day) was implemented in 2021. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. A special spring trapnetting survey was conducted to collect data on the Bluegill population, which will be used for regulation evaluation purposes in future surveys. The Bluegill population is extremely abundant and possesses a high-quality size structure. Eighty-one percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 55% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Age data indicate that Bluegill reproduction is exceptional in some years. Bluegill growth rates are fast with an average length of 8.8 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that 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. West Silent Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2021. 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.

West Silent Lake is a 328-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 58 feet; however, 36% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 12.1 to 24.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline is developed with homes and cabins. A DNR owned public water access is located along the east shoreline of the lake off of County Road 41. A DNR owned carry-in public water access is located along the west shoreline. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered around the lake but are most prevalent in the west bay. Emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can absorb and breakdown polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. 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 spring trapnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch data indicate that Black Crappies are very abundant. The 2019 and 2020-year classes are extremely strong and should provide consistently good Black Crappie angling for several years. Black Crappies ranged in length from 7.4 to 13.2 inches with an average length of 11.1 inches. Eighty-five percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappie growth rates are fast with an average length of 10.8 inches at five years of age. There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for West Silent Lake. 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 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. West Silent Lake was designated as infested with zebra mussels in 2021. 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.

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

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

West Silent has a maximum depth of 58 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in West Silent is from 2019.

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