Silver

Silver Lake (72 acres and lake class 40) has maximum depth of 18 feet and littoral area of 71 acres. The lake is a heavily vegetated, shallow water basin that has a predominant Northern Pike - Largemouth Bass - Bluegill species composition. Eurasian watermilfoil was found in the lake in 1992. Since 1995, chemical treatments to control dense mats of milfoil have been done in the southern part of the lake. In 2007-2009 a series of lakewide herbicide treatments aimed at controlling Eurasian watermilfoil were conducted. These large chemical herbicide treatments perturbed the lake, resulting in a decline in native aquatic plant species and a corresponding decline in water clarity and quality. To this day, Silver Lake is still dominated by Eurasian watermilfoil. A city park on the south shore provides a fishing pier another city park along the north shore provides a fishing pier, shore, boat and winter access. A winter aeration system is located east of the boat access. Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Hybrid sunfish were the most abundant fish captured during this survey. Most Bluegill were small, with less than 8% over 6 inches long. Pumpkinseed and Hybrid Sunfish were also very small with average sizes of 5.3 and 5.6 inches respectively. Black Crappie are present in above average numbers but small in size, with no fish larger than 8 inches. Black Crappies had an average size of 6.3 inches. Yellow Perch numbers were above the median for lakes of this type. Yellow Perch size ranged from 5.6 to 7.4 inches with an average size of 6.5 inches. Consistent with what has been observed in previous surveys, Walleye have been found in low to modest numbers. One large Walleye was sampled during this survey, it measured over 27 inches. Largemouth Bass were moderately abundant with most fish measuring 9.5-14.5 inches Long. Northern Pike were sampled in above average numbers and are essentially unchanged in catch rate from the 2012 survey. This quantity is less than the previous survey of this lake (2005) in which Northern Pike were sampled at all-time highs for abundance. Northern Pike had an average size of 22 inches long. Yellow Bullheads were observed in below average numbers for this type of lake. Yellow Bullhead sizes ranged from 6.5 to almost 14 inches. Black Bullhead were found in much lower numbers during this survey than what was found in 2012. These fish however are of good size and had an average size of 12.0 inches. White Sucker were also present in low numbers, ranging in size from 16-21 inches. Other fish found in low abundance were Golden Shiner and Brown Bullhead.

Silver Lake is 72 acres in size and is in lake class 40. Maximum depth is 18 feet and littoral area covers 71 acres. The lake is a heavily vegetated shallow water basin that has a predominant Northern Pike - Largemouth Bass - Bluegill species composition. Eurasian watermilfoil was found in the lake in 1992. Since 1995, chemical treatments to control dense mats of milfoil have been done in the southern part of the lake. In 2007-2009 a series of lakewide herbicide treatments aimed at controlling Eurasian watermilfoil were conducted. These large chemical herbicide treatments perturbed the lake, resulting in a decline in native aquatic plant species and a corresponding decline in water clarity and quality. To this day, Silver Lake is still dominated by Eurasian watermilfoil. A city park on the south shore provides shore and pier fishing access and a city park along the north shore provides shore, boat, and winter access. A winter aeration system is located east of the boat access. Daytime electrofishing was conducted on May 5th 2017. Twenty one Largemouth Bass were sampled during this survey. Largemouth bass were moderately abundant with 20.05/hour observed and most fish measuring 6.5-20 inches Long. The average size of Largemouth bass sampled was 13.8 inches long.

Silver Lake is 72 acres in size and is in lake class 40. Maximum depth is 18 feet and littoral area covers 71 acres. The lake is a heavily vegetated shallow water basin that has a predominant Northern Pike - Largemouth Bass - Bluegill species composition. Eurasian watermilfoil was found in the lake in 1992. Since 1995, chemical treatments to control dense mats of milfoil have been done in the southern part of the lake. In 2007-2009 a series of lakewide herbicide treatments aimed at controlling Eurasian watermilfoil were conducted. These large chemical herbicide treatments perturbed the lake, resulting in a decline in native aquatic plant species and a corresponding decline in water clarity and quality. To this day, Silver Lake is still dominated by Eurasian watermilfoil. A city park on the south shore provides shore and pier fishing access and a city park along the north shore provides shore, boat, and winter access. A winter aeration system is located east of the boat access. Bluegill, pumpkinseed, and hybrid sunfish were the most abundant fish captured during this survey. Most bluegill were small, with less than 2% over 6 inches long. Pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish were also very small with average sizes of 4.13 and 4.54 inches respectively. Black crappie are present in high numbers but small in size, with only one fish larger than 8 inches. Black crappies had and an average size of 6.35 inches. Yellow perch numbers were below the median for lakes of this type. Yellow perch size ranged from 5.67 to 6.57 inches with an average size of 6.1 inches. Walleye were not sampled during this survey, but have been observed in previous surveys in low to modest numbers. Largemouth bass were moderately abundant with most fish measuring 8-16 inches Long. Northern pike were sampled in moderate numbers but less than the previous survey of this lake (2005) in which northern pike were sampled at all-time highs for abundance. All fish were age VI+ or less and had an average size of 25 inches long. One tiger muskie was sampled this fish corresponds to a stocking event in 2008. This lone tiger muskie was 32 inches long and weighed slightly more than 6 lbs. Yellow bullheads were observed in moderate but average numbers for this type of lake. Yellow bullhead sizes ranged from 7.5 to almost 11 inches. Black bullhead were found in low number during this survey. White sucker were also present in low numbers, ranging in size from 15-18 inches. Despite annual stockings from 1996 to 2003 and a 2008 stocking, channel catfish continue to be found in low abundance in Silver Lake as measured by catch rate, with one channel catfish observed during this survey. This single fish measured over 25.5 inches and weighed 6.4 lbs and was from the 2008 stocking.

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

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

Silver has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Silver is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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