Little Swan

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Swan, was conducted on July 1st, 2025, by 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 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 3 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 4 stations. Three stations were not seined due to depth, soft bottom, and dense vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including 7 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Darter and Pugnose Shiner) and one that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by Area Fisheries staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 11 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Yellow Bullhead and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The trap net catch was light overall. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2025 to describe the fish community and provide a fish- based (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, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Little is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Little Swan is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River -Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Little Swan by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Little Swan Lake (DOW# 77-0034-00; Lake Class 23) is a 164-acre lake that is located 3 miles northwest of Swanville. The maximum depth is 67 feet (average = 25 feet), and water clarity is around 8 feet. A public access is located on the east side of the lake. Little Swan is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Bluegill and secondarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie. A standard survey was conducted during 2025 and included electrofishing, gill netting, spring trap netting, summer trap netting, and angling. A population estimate of adult bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth combined) was completed using data from electrofishing, trap netting, and angling. It was estimated that there were approximately 563 Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in Little Swan during 2025. However, the population could be as low as 444 or as high as 771 when accounting for variation among samples. Sampling was targeted towards the adult population, which included fish over 10 inches. Smaller fish were excluded from the estimate because their survival and catch rates can differ from those of adults, which can lead to biased results. Adult Largemouth Bass ranged in size from 9.9-19.7 inches (average = 14.9 inches) while adult Smallmouth Bass measured 11.9-17.6 inches (average = 15.8 inches). Smallmouth Bass were a relatively recent addition to the fishery and resulted from the modification of an outlet structure that allowed for riverine fish passage. Northern Pike had a catch rate of 6.5 fish/net (total = 39), which fell within the normal range for this lake class. The size range of fish captured was 12.6-28.1 inches (average = 19.3 inches) with 11% over 24 inches. The current size structure is below what would be preferred for this population. The goal for Little Swan is to maintain at least 30% over 24 inches and 3% over 30 inches. The number of fish over 30 inches has gradually declined over the last 30 years with 2025 being the first year without any sampled. Bluegill were caught at a rate of 7.8 fish/net (total = 234) while spring trap netting. The size range of fish was 2.6-9.4 inches (average = 5.9 inches) with 34% over 7 inches, 11% over 8 inches, and 1% over 9 inches. This surpassed the goal of maintaining a population with at least 25% over 7 inches. The maximum length of 9.4 inches during this survey was a new record for spring trap netting on Little Swan. The proportion of fish measuring 8 inches or greater has continued to increase since 2016. There was an increase in smaller fish during the current survey, but this is not of concern unless growth rates decline. Growth was not assessed during 2025, but prior data have shown that Bluegill have average growth in Little Swan. A total of 84 Black Crappie were captured while spring trap netting (average = 0.8 fish/set; total = 24) and electrofishing (average = 10.4 fish/hour; total = 60). The goal of maintaining at least 50% of the catch over 9 inches was achieved during 2025. Black Crappie in Little Swan show average growth, with fish averaging 7.8 inches by age-3, 9.8 inches by age-4, and 10.6 inches by age-5. Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Swan Lake on July 28th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Tullibee require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 49.9 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 12.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 12.6 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 0.6 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Tullibee was present but marginal. Tullibee have frequently been absent during gill netting surveys and were last captured in 2017.

Little Swan Lake (DOW# 77-0034-00; Lake Class 23) is a 164 acre lake located near Pillsbury, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the east shore. Little Swan Lake has 2.36 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 67 feet. Lake is in Lake Class 23; lakes in this class are generally very deep, have a very low amount of water less than 15 feet deep, have hard water, and very clear. Little Swan is a typical bass/panfish lake in the Little Falls area. Largemouth Bass are abundant with some quality fish up to 20 inches. Both Bluegill and Black Crappie are also abundant with plenty of eater sized fish for anglers. Northern Pike are highly abundant with mainly smaller fish (20-24 inches). However some larger fish were sampled up to 35 inches. Any Walleye caught by anglers should be considered a bonus fish, as Little Swan has a very low population of Walleye. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Greater Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Fish harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of aquatic invasive species (AIS), can all adversely affect fish populations. Curly Leaf Pondweed has been identified in Little Swan Lake. AIS can be moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Little Falls Area Fisheries office.

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

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

Little Swan has a maximum depth of 67 feet and a mean depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Swan is from 2025.

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