Swan

Swan Lake is a 689-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately three miles southeast of Fergus Falls, MN. Swan Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River outlet is located along the south shoreline of the lake and is unnavigable. The immediate watershed of Swan Lake is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Swan Lake is 44 feet; however, 54% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 8.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.5 to 17.2 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Swan Lake has been developed. The development consists primarily of homes and cottages. A resort/campground is located along the southeast shoreline. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the east shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand, gravel, and rubble. Hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the shoreline of the southern portion of Swan Lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail 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 such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Because of its proximity to Fergus Falls, Swan Lake is a popular angling lake. Swan Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in Swan Lake. Northern Pike abundance has remained high, but the size structure has improved in recent surveys. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 18.3 to 27.6 inches with an average length and weight of 22.1 inches and 2.3 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 25.5 inches at five years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing survey indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 2.9 inches to 19.5 inches with an average length and weight of 14.3 inches and 1.8 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 13.1 inches at four years of age. Data from a spring trapnetting survey indicate that the Black Crappie population is abundant and that the size structure is good. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.9 to 13.7 inches. Thirty-five percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.6 inches at five years of age. Bluegill abundance and size structure tend to fluctuate due to inconsistent reproduction. Only one percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.7 inches at seven years of age. Walleye abundance has historically remained at a moderate level. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.0 to 25.8 inches with an average length and weight of 17.2 inches and 2.0 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 16.8 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. Swan Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Swan Lake was conducted on July 1, 2019 by Fergus Falls Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at thirteen sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations and a 15-foot seine was used at ten stations. Nearshore sampling captured 23 species of fish including 7 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and 1 that are tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 5, 2017 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish,). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Pomme de Terre Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Swan Lake is a 689-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately three miles southeast of Fergus Falls, MN. Swan Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River outlet is located along the south shoreline of the lake. The outlet is unnavigable. The immediate watershed of Swan Lake is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Swan Lake is 44 feet; however, 54% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading was 9.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.5 to 17.2 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Swan Lake has been developed. The development consists primarily of homes and cottages. A resort/campground is located along the southeast shoreline. A DNR owned public water access is located along the east shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand, gravel, and rubble. Hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the shoreline of the southern portion of Swan Lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail 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 such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Because of its proximity to Fergus Falls, Swan Lake is a popular angling lake. Swan Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in Swan Lake. A high-density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 17.5 to 30.6 inches with an average length and weight of 23.3 inches and 2.7 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 25.1 inches at five years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Bass ranged in length from 5.1 inches to 18.9 inches with an average length and weight of 10.6 inches and 0.9 pounds. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 13.3 inches at four years of age. Bluegill abundance and size structure tend to fluctuate due to inconsistent reproduction. Eight 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. Data from a spring trapnetting assessment indicate that the Black Crappie population is abundant and that the size structure is good. Forty-one percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Crappies attain an average length of 11.5 inches at five years of age. Walleye abundance has remained at a low to moderate level in recent surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.6 to 24.8 inches with an average length and weight of 20.6 inches and 3.2 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.8 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Swan Lake 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. Swan 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. Anglers are required to remove all visible plants, mud, and other prohibited invasive species and drain all water from their boat prior to leaving the water access.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish 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 44 feet and a mean depth of 13 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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