Scandinavian

Scandinavian Lake is a 417 acre basin located 14 miles south of Glenwood. The lake has a maximum depth of 50.0 feet and average depth is estimated at 11.0 feet. Water quality is good and in response, aquatic vegetation is abundant. Aquatic vegetation provides important habitat to vegetation-oriented fish species such as Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Sunfish and Black Crappie. Walleye fingerlings are stocked every other year to sustain a Walleye fishery. A public access site is located on the south shore off of South Scandi Drive. A standard fisheries survey was completed in 2024 to gain updated information describing fish community structure and gamefish abundance. Survey methodology included a May electrofishing survey to sample the Largemouth Bass population. The netting component of the survey was completed July 15-18. A combination of nine gill nets and nine trap nets were used to sample the fish community. The Walleye population in Scandinavian Lake is sustained with fingerling or yearling stocking on an alternate year frequency. Fingerling stocking in Scandinavian Lake continues to be successful. Catch rates of Walleye during this survey were above average for this lake and year-classes of Walleye correspond to years in which fish were stocked. A majority of the Walleye caught in this survey were between 16-20 inches. Largemouth Bass were very abundant. Average size of bass captures was 10.8 inches and the largest bass caught measured l7.5 inches. Large numbers of small, likely young bass were sampled and will likely provide a good fishery in upcoming years. Netting catch rates documented that Northern Pike remain abundant. Although a majority of pike were between 19 and 23 inches, average size of pike has improved over the last few surveys. The number of large pike, between 30 and 36 inches has also increased. Bluegill abundance is high, which has likely led to slower growth rates. A majority of Bluegill observed in the survey were from 4 to 7 inches, but some fish up to 9 inches are present. Black Crappie catch rates have increased due to a very large year-class from 2022. Crappie growth rates are near average and fish from this year class should quickly grow to larger sizes. Yellow Perch abundance is low, likely as a result of high abundance of Northern Pike, Walleye and Largemouth Bass. Eurasian watermilfoil has been present in Scandinavian Lake since 2014 and zebra mussels were first discovered in 2023. Zebra mussel infestations in area lakes have typically led to clearer water and an increase in aquatic vegetation. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2018 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 10 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Scandinavian Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Chippewa River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Ten species were collected during this survey. One species (Banded Killifish) was considered "intolerant" and one species (Green Sunfish) was considered "tolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Scandinavian Lake.

Scandinavian Lake is a 417-acre basin located 14 miles south of Glenwood. The lake has a maximum depth of 50.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 11.0 feet. The lake was thermally stratified at time of the July 2018 netting survey. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 20.0 feet in depth were too low to support fish life. Water quality is good and in response, aquatic vegetation is abundant. Aquatic vegetation provides important habitat to vegetation-oriented fish species (Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, panfish). Walleye are stocked to sustain a modest fishery. A public access site is located on the south shore off of South Scandi Drive. A standard fisheries survey was completed in 2018 to gain updated information describing fish community structure and gamefish abundance. Survey methodology included a May electrofishing survey to sample the Largemouth Bass population. The netting component of the survey was completed July 16-19. A combination of nine gill nets and nine trap nets were used to sample the fish community. Largemouth Bass continued to be abundant. Average size of bass captures was 11.7 inches. The largest bass caught measured 17.7 inches in total length. Thirty-two percent of captures measuring 8.0 inches and larger exceeded 15.0 inches in total length. Large numbers of small, likely young bass, were collected and will likely provide a good fishery in upcoming years. Netting catch rates documented that Northern Pike remain abundant. Average size of pike captures in gill nets was 20.5 inches. Few pike captures exceeded 28.0 inches in length. The lake supports elevated densities of Bluegills in probable response to plenty of escape cover from predators. Average length of Bluegill catches was low at 4.8 inches, but some individuals did exceed 8.0 inches. Growth rates were moderately slow, thus few live long enough to grow to 8.0 inches. Black Crappies are present, but relatively few are captured near shore in July surveys. Those crappies captured in gill nets averaged 8.6 inches. The largest measured 11.1 inches. Yellow Perch exist at a low population density in probable response to elevated predator densities. Average size of perch captures was 6.4 inches. While important to the diet of Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleyes, few perch grow large enough to attain a harvestable- size. Scandinavian Lake's Walleye population is supplemented with fingerling or yearling stocking scheduled at an alternate year frequency. Walleyes proved to be moderately abundant. The Walleye gill net catch rate of 6.6 fish/net was the second-highest catch rate recorded among surveys. Over 70% of the gill net catch of Walleyes exceeded 15.0 inches. Average size of captures was 17.1 inches. A strong year class of two-year-old Walleyes was detected. This year class will likely sustain good fishing opportunities in the coming years. Elevated numbers of Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass have likely limited Yellow Perch abundance and potential contributions of the Walleye stocking program. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of expanded Northern Pike harvest opportunities in the North-central Harvest Zone to increase harvest of 21.9-inch and smaller pike to reduce pike numbers and enhance predator/prey balance and success of Walleye stockings. Anglers are also encouraged to harvest from surpluses of medium-size Bluegills and 12.0-inch and smaller Largemouth Bass to reduce densities and improve growth potential. Eurasian watermilfoil is present in Scandinavian Lake, but no other invasive species have been documented. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to this or other lakes.

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

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

Scandinavian has a maximum depth of 49 feet and a mean depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Scandinavian is from 2024.

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