Sylvan

Sylvan Lake is a small impoundment of Canby Creek, located within the city limits of Canby. Due to its location it receives a high amount of fishing pressure, particularly by children. Many of the fish in Sylvan Lake likely originated in Del Clark Lake a short distance upstream. Fisheries management activities include netting surveys and adult game fish stockings. Curly-leaf pondweed was discovered in Sylvan Lake in 2010. By 2011, it was abundant and covered the entire basin. The lake was treated with herbicide in 2012 and 2014 to reduce curly-leaf abundance in order to improve fishing opportunity. The treatments were temporarily successful, but in 2016 dense vegetation was again present from late spring through summer. Black Crappies, Bluegills, Northern Pike, Walleyes, and Yellow Perch were caught in low numbers during 2016. Recent stockings include adult Walleyes, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch during 2015, and adult Walleyes during 2016. Sylvan Lake will continue to be managed as a Kids Fishing Pond and annual stockings of adult game fish are planned.

Sylvan Lake is a small impoundment of Candy Creek located within the city limits of Canby. Due to its location it receives a high amount of fishing pressure, particularly by youth. Past investigations have indicated that migration from Del Clark Lake has primarily been responsible for game fish populations in Sylvan Lake. Management efforts have included stocking adult walleye and northern pike as part of a put and take fishery. Curly-leaf pondweed was discovered in Sylvan Lake in 2010. By 2011, it was abundant and covered the entire basin. A whole lake treatment was conducted in 2012 in an effort to reduce vegetation abundance to enhance fishing opportunity. The treatment successfully reduced vegetation abundance and will be repeated in 2014. Black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch were all sampled in low abundance in 2013. Adult northern pike and walleye were stocked in the fall of 2013. If available, adult northern pike and walleye will be stocked again in the spring of 2014 to increase recreational opportunity. Annual stockings of adult black crappie, bluegill, northern pike or walleye will be conducted when deemed necessary and are available.

Sylvan Lake is a small impoundment (15 acres) of Canby Creek located within a Canby city park. Angling access includes a fishing pier and numerous shoreline areas. No boat ramp exists. Black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, walleye and yellow perch provide angling opportunities. 100 adult walleye were stocked during 2009 and the majority of them weighed 2 pounds. Additional game fish will be stocked as needed to supplement angling opportunities.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, Green Sunfish, and Black Crappie in Sylvan. 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 Sylvan. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Sylvan has a maximum depth of 5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sylvan is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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