Pepin

Pepin Lake is a small, 41-acre lake located next to the town of Swanville. It has a public access/boat ramp on the east side of the lake. There is also a public fishing pier that is popular with shore anglers. The lake has a connection to the Swan River which can influence fish species diversity. Dense chara (muskgrass) and cattail rim the lake's perimeter, beyond which drops off abruptly to deeper water. A standard survey that included three gill nets was completed June 26-27, 2023. Trap nets were not used. The last standard survey completed was in 2010. Northern Pike and White sucker were by far the most common species caught. The pike catch rate was 11.0 fish/gill net, higher than in 2010 and 2003 which were 6.3 and 5.7 fish/gill net, respectively. Lengths in this survey ranged from 15.9-31.3 inches. Twelve percent of the sample was 24 inches or more. Survey infrequency and high variability limit useful comparisons to past data. White Sucker CPE was 9.0 fish/gill net, mean length was 17.1 inches. Other species captured included Black Bullhead (1), Black Crappie (2), Bluegill (2), Bowfin (1) and Yellow Perch (3). Pepin Lake is not managed for Walleye, however, private stocking is permitted not to exceed every other year intervals.

An electrofishing survey was conducted on Pepin Lake in May 2022. Species targeted included Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Black Crappie. Other species observed but not netted included White Sucker, Bowfin, Pumpkinseed, all three species of bullheads, Yellow Perch, and Golden Shiners. No Walleye, Northern Pike or Common Carp were seen. Pepin Lake is a small, 41-acre lake on the west side of the City of Swanville. The local sportsman's club maintains a boat access and a fishing pier located on the northeast side of the lake. There is a broad connection to the Swan River which allows fish migration to and from the lake. Most of the lake is fringed by cattail and there is minimal shoreline residential development. Black Crappie are abundant in Pepin Lake but their average size is small (8.4 inches); about 75 percent of the sample was comprised of fish 8.0-8.9 inches. The largest crappie sampled was 11.4 inches. A total of 128 Bluegills were caught and measured, average size was 6.3 inches and maximum length was 8.1 inches. Thirty-four Largemouth Bass were netted and average size was 11.6 inches. One 18.6-inch fish was caught. About 25 percent of the population measures 15 inches or greater. In general, our management plan for Pepin Lake is to maintain Bluegills and crappies so that good numbers of fish exceeding seven and nine inches are available for anglers. We classify Pepin as a panfish-type lake, we do not manage it for Walleyes. However, Walleye fingerlings have been stocked in the past, most recently in 2010 under a private permit issued to the Swanville Sportsman's Club.

Pepin Lake is a small lake on the west side of the City of Swanville. The access is located in the city park along with a fishing pier. The local sportsmen club maintains the lake access and also supplied the fish pier to provide those without boats an angling opportunity. A broad connection to the Swan River allows fish migration when the stream is not blocked by beaver dams. A fringe of cattail surrounds much of the lake. Muskgrass was the most abundant submergent species in the shallow water while coontail was abundant in the deeper water out to a depth of 16 feet. Marl was the most common substrate around the lake. Pepin Lake does not have the fish species diversity that most lakes in the area have. Northern pike was the most abundant gamefish in the lake survey and abundance appeared to be normal when compared to similar type lakes. Average size recorded in the survey was 2.5 pounds, but fish over 36 inches have been documented in past surveys. Anglers willing to put the time and effort in, have the opportunity to catch walleye. A single 27-inch walleye was caught in the lake survey indicating low numbers of the species. The lake was known for its bluegill fishery in the past. Recently, anglers reported an abundance of small bluegill and black crappie. Trap net catches of both species showed the same results. While most of the bluegill caught in the survey were less than six inches in length, there were some fish over eight inches measured. The black crappie catch was also dominated by smaller fish mostly under eight inches in length. The lake does produce an occasional larger crappie for anglers lucky or skilled enough to find them. Another panfish species in the survey was pumpkinseed sunfish. Most of the pumpkinseed caught in the survey, however, were too small to be of interest to anglers. Pepin Lake does not appear to have an abundant largemouth bass population, but quality may make up for quantity. Anglers can find a wide range of sizes including fish up to 20 inches. Yellow perch abundance continues to be low. Perch can be an important food species for gamefish although other species such as white sucker, which were abundant, may provide an alternate food source in the lake. Other species in the rough fish community include bowfin or dogfish, common carp, and yellow bullhead. The lake survey was conducted in mid-June and water clarity at that time was good. The lush muskgrass beds and marl bottom are not the most desirable for swimming beach sites. Filamentous algae was also common in the shallow water. Selective harvest is encouraged for both angling and spearing to minimize impact on the fish community. Releasing larger northern pike and voluntarily limiting harvest of larger panfish will help sustain the quality and balance of the fish community. Boating or canoeing was the more common form of recreation on the lake. Fishermen and recreational boaters are reminded to carefully clean their boats and trailers before moving between lakes to prevent the spread of exotic species.

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

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

Pepin has a maximum depth of 34 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pepin is from 2023.

No invasive species are on record for Pepin in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.