Silver

Silver Lake is located in northern Wright County, about four miles north of Maple Lake. It has a surface area of 78 acres and a maximum depth of 42 feet. A local sporting club owns and maintains an access on the south east side of the lake. The access is open to the public for a small fee. Silver Creek flows through the lake and plays a large role in determining the water quality and fish community of the lake. The creek also allows for movement of fish to and from other lakes in the watershed, particularly when water levels are high. A survey was conducted in 2012 to assess fish populations and included spring electrofishing and summer netting (trap nets, gill nets, and seines). Catch rates were compared to lakes with similar characteristics as a way to evaluate the fish populations of Silver Lake. Catch rates were also compared to past surveys on Silver Lake (most recently in 2002), to examine changes over time. The survey also included water chemistry analysis, watershed mapping, and an aquatic plant survey. The catch rate of northern pike was much lower than the previous survey, but the average size was large (4.6 pounds) and 57 percent of northern pike sampled were 24 inches or larger. The lower northern pike numbers currently found in Silver Lake represent favorable conditions for obtaining quality size. The catch rate of yellow perch was also lower than in the previous survey, but is still high when compared to the expected range found in similar lakes. Yellow perch are an important source of forage for northern pike. Walleye have not been stocked at Silver Lake since 1986, and although the catch decreased from the previous survey in 2002, the population appears stable. Spawning may occur in Silver Creek and the creek may also provide for migration of walleye between lakes in the watershed. Most of the walleye were 12-16 inches long and from the 2009 or 2010 year classes. Largemouth bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing in the spring and the catch rate was typical of other area lakes. Most largemouth bass were between 8 and 16 inches in length with the largest measuring nearly 18 inches. Bluegill and black crappie numbers were lower than the previous survey, but still within the range expected for Silver Lake. Average weight however, for both bluegill and crappie, has increased and growth rates were fast. Thirty-two percent of bluegill sampled were larger than seven inches and seventy-three percent of the black crappie were larger than eight inches. Several other species were sampled in typical abundance during the 2012 survey, including: common carp, bigmouth buffalo, black, brown, and yellow bullheads, white sucker, hybrid and pumpkinseed sunfish, and bowfin. Eurasian water milfoil was recently discovered in Silver Lake and has become a major component of the submerged plant community. Anglers and other recreational users are encouraged to remain diligent in thoroughly inspecting boat trailers, anchors and equipment to prevent and reduce the spread of invasive species to area lakes.

Silver Lake is located in northern Wright County, about four miles north of Maple Lake. It has a surface area of 78 acres and a maximum depth of 42 feet. A local sporting club owns and maintains an access on the south east side of the lake. The access is open to the public for a small fee. Silver Creek flows through the lake and plays a large role in determining the water quality and fish community of the lake. The creek also allows for movement of fish to and from other lakes in the watershed, particularly when water levels are high. A survey was conducted in 2012 to assess fish populations and included spring electrofishing and summer netting (trap nets, gill nets, and seines). Catch rates were compared to lakes with similar characteristics as a way to evaluate the fish populations of Silver Lake. Catch rates were also compared to past surveys on Silver Lake (most recently in 2002), to examine changes over time. The survey also included water chemistry analysis, watershed mapping, and an aquatic plant survey. The catch rate of northern pike was much lower than the previous survey, but the average size was large (4.6 pounds) and 57 percent of northern pike sampled were 24 inches or larger. The lower northern pike numbers currently found in Silver Lake represent favorable conditions for obtaining quality size. The catch rate of yellow perch was also lower than in the previous survey, but is still high when compared to the expected range found in similar lakes. Yellow perch are an important source of forage for northern pike. Walleye have not been stocked at Silver Lake since 1986, and although the catch decreased from the previous survey in 2002, the population appears stable. Spawning may occur in Silver Creek and the creek may also provide for migration of walleye between lakes in the watershed. Most of the walleye were 12-16 inches long and from the 2009 or 2010 year classes. Largemouth bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing in the spring and the catch rate was typical of other area lakes. Most largemouth bass were between 8 and 16 inches in length with the largest measuring nearly 18 inches. Bluegill and black crappie numbers were lower than the previous survey, but still within the range expected for Silver Lake. Average weight however, for both bluegill and crappie, has increased and growth rates were fast. Thirty-two percent of bluegill sampled were larger than seven inches and seventy-three percent of the black crappie were larger than eight inches. Several other species were sampled in typical abundance during the 2012 survey, including: common carp, bigmouth buffalo, black, brown, and yellow bullheads, white sucker, hybrid and pumpkinseed sunfish, and bowfin. Eurasian water milfoil was recently discovered in Silver Lake and has become a major component of the submerged plant community. Anglers and other recreational users are encouraged to remain diligent in thoroughly inspecting boat trailers, anchors and equipment to prevent and reduce the spread of invasive species to area lakes.

Silver Lake is located in northern Wright County, about four miles north of Maple Lake. It has a surface area of 78 acres and a maximum depth of 42 feet. A local sporting club owns and maintains an access on the south side of the lake. Silver Creek flows through the lake, and plays a large role in determining the water quality and fish community of the lake. The creek probably also allows for movement of fish to and from other lakes in the watershed, particularly when water levels are high, as they were in 2002.A survey was conducted in 2002 to assess fish populations, and included spring electrofishing and summer netting (trap nets, gill nets, and seines). Catch rates were compared to lakes with similar characteristics as a way to evaluate the fish populations of Silver Lake. Catch rates were also compared to past surveys on Silver Lake (most recently in 1992), to examine changes over time. The survey also included water chemistry analysis, watershed mapping, and an aquatic plant survey.Some of the most notable results from the fish sampling were the high number of northern pike and yellow perch, as well as the walleye that were collected. The catch rate of northern pike was much higher than the previous survey, yet the average size was favorable (2.6 pounds). The catch rate of yellow perch was also much higher than in the past, and this probably enables smaller sized northern pike to grow quickly.Walleye have not been stocked at Silver Lake since 1986, but it appears that there was a moderate population during 2002. Spawning may occur in Silver Creek, and the creek may also provide for migration of walleye between lakes within the watershed. Most of the walleye were 17-19 inches in length, and from the same year class.Bluegill and black crappie numbers appeared down from the previous survey, but still within the range expected for Silver Lake. High water levels during the 2002 survey may have negatively affected the catch in trap nets. Most of the crappie were from the 2001 year class, and small (4 inches), but with favorable growth rates, they may provide for angling opportunities in the next few years. Most of the bluegill were 5-6 inches in length, but with some nearly eight inches.Largemouth bass were sampled by electrofishing in spring, and the catch rate was low. Only six bass were captured, all between 14-16 inches. The late-warming spring may have affected the sampling, however. Smallmouth bass have been seen in some of the previous surveys, but not in 2002. Large numbers of small buffalo (fish) were also seen schooling at the surface in the spring, which was unusual. However, only a few buffalo were sampled later in the summer. Small buffalo provide a good source of food for northern pike. Buffalo are native to Minnesota, and not destructive to lakes the way carp are.Several other species were sampled during the 2002 survey, including pumpkinseed sunfish, bowfin, carp, white sucker, and black, yellow and brown bullheads.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Silver. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Silver has a maximum depth of 42 feet and a mean depth of 16.9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Silver is from 2012. 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.