Sylvia

Sylvia Lake is a small, scenic lake in northern Stearns County about 5 miles north of Melrose. It's connected to Little Birch Lake via a short, but non-navigable channel. A fishing pier and shoreline fishing-site is located in Lake Sylvia County Park on the south end of the lake near the public boat access which is immediately east of the Park. Sylvia is a relatively clear-water lake that supports a slightly unusual fish community for lakes in this area of the state. In addition to common species such as Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, the lake also contains Channel catfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Greater Redhorse and Bigmouth Buffalo; all migrants from the Sauk River via Adley Creek (lake outlet). Cisco, a species on the southern edge of its range, is also supported in Sylvia Lake due to the lakes high water quality. Recent surveys depict a Smallmouth Bass fishery that may be of most interest to anglers. Electrofishing surveys capture good numbers of smallmouth, some up to 18 inches or more. Largemouth Bass are present in fewer numbers but attain large size as well. Northern Pike and Walleye appear to be quite low in abundance, however, large individuals of both species have been sampled in nets. Bluegill and Black Crappie are average in abundance and size however, lengths up to 8 and 13 inches have been recorded for each respective species. Good shore-fishing opportunities for panfish are available at Lake Sylvia County Park. Ciscoes are coldwater fish present in Sylvia Lake. They're indicator species of lakes with high water quality. Ciscoes are declining in many Minnesota lakes due to climate change and nutrient runoff. The greatest period of stress occurs in late summer when oxy-thermal habitat is most limited. Summer oxy-thermal habitat is found at mid-lake depths where the temperature is below 70 degrees and dissolved oxygen is adequately present. Hotter, longer summers coupled with high nutrient runoff can put the squeeze on this deeper layer of oxy-thermal habitat Ciscoes depend on. Since Ciscoes demonstrate some resilience to warmer water temperatures, farmers, lakeshore residents, townships, counties and other stakeholders are encouraged to minimize nutrient runoff by giving up the use of fertilizers and adopt shoreline vegetative buffer strips or cover crops as the situation pertains. The bog ecosystem with its many springs on the west side of Sylvia Lake is rare in central Minnesota and preserving it is essential to maintaining lake water quality. Steep drop-offs around much of the lake limit the amount of vegetated habitat. As such, vegetation removal is discouraged and protection of remaining fish habitat is critical. Unfortunately, Eurasian Watermilfoil was documented for the first time in Sylvia Lake in 2011. Significant growth was noted in early summer 2018 but appeared to diminish by late summer. Sylvia also contains zebra mussels. Lake visitors must be diligent about inspecting and cleaning watercraft when leaving the lake. Selective fish harvest is also encouraged to minimize impacts to the fish community. Releasing large panfish helps sustain angling quality into the future, especially in smaller lakes like Sylvia.

Sylvia Lake (DOW# 77-0249-00; Lake Class 28) is an 85 acre lake located near Ward Springs, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the south shore. Sylvia Lake has 1.99 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 56 feet. The lake is primarily managed for Bluegill and Black Crappie and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake was initially surveyed in 1957 and 8 fish sampling surveys or investigations have occurred since then with the most recent prior sampling in 2016. A targeted survey for Northern Pike and Walleye was conducted on Sylvia Lake following ice out using trap nets. A total of 42 Northern Pike were captured during the ice out survey with trap nets. The 2017 trap net catch rate was 3.0 fish/net night. This was the first ice-out trap netting survey, therefore data for comparison is unavailable. Size structure analyses were not run due to sample size. The mean length of Northern Pike sampled was 19.74 inches with lengths ranging from 11.7 to 27.0 inches. No Walleye were captured.

Spring night electrofishing was conducted in early April of 2012 in place of an ice-out assessment. Due to workload and available manpower an ice-out assessment was not possible. The primary objective for the electrofishing was to capture walleye, a species which was absent in the 2011 summer population assessment. The entire shoreline was electrofished in two runs for a total of almost 1.25 hours of on-time. Eleven walleye between 8.7 and 30.2 inches in length were netted for a catch rate of 8.8 per hour. Although there were over seven year classes represented, a significant portion (45%; n=5) of the sample was comprised of fish exceeding twenty inches in length. Ages 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, and 15 plus were represented in the sample. There were no more than two fish in any age group. Since walleye stocking was discontinued in 1989, the population is likely sustained through immigration from Little Birch Lake, the Sauk River, and/or natural reproduction. Walleye have also been caught in previous spring electrofishing efforts that have targeted bass or both smallmouth bass and walleye. Spring daytime electrofishing was attempted in mid-May of 2011 targeting black crappie, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Only four walleye were netted in that effort. A spring night time electrofishing effort in mid-June of 2005 for largemouth and smallmouth bass, sampled three walleye. Spring night electrofishing in mid-May of 1997 for largemouth bass was very effective at also sampling walleye. While few bass of either species were netted, twenty-five juvenile walleye were caught. The fish ranged from 5.4 to 12.7 inches in length. Smallmouth bass was the most abundant species in the 2012 electrofishing effort, with thirty-six caught. While most of the bass were from twelve to sixteen inches in length, one 19.4-inch smallmouth bass was measured. PSD for the smallmouth bass sample was 73. Four largemouth bass between nine and sixteen inches were sampled along with three black crappie between 11.5 and 12 inches. Northern pike were the second most common species in the 2012 spring electrofishing. Seventeen pike from 9.4 to 24.1 inches in length were captured. An ice-out trap net assessment may be necessary to determine if trap netting would prove more effective for sampling the walleye population in Sylvia Lake than electrofishing. Spring night electrofishing appears to be more effective for sampling walleye than daytime efforts in Sylvia and other area lakes.

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

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

Sylvia has a maximum depth of 56 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sylvia is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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