Minnesota · Martin County
South Silver Lake Fishing guide
South Silver Lake covers 252 acres in Martin County, Minnesota, reaching 22 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 2.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
BluegillJust a few2.7per trap net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 24 fish
2022Lengths measured · 7 fish
2016Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2010Lengths measured · 4 fish
2006Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappieFair numbers17.2per trap net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 172 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 172 fish
2022Lengths measured · 72 fish
2016Lengths measured · 48 fish
2010Lengths measured · 10 fish
2006Yellow perchLast stocked 2023Fair numbers4per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2022Lengths measured · 188 fish
2016Lengths measured · 137 fish
2010Lengths measured · 8 fish
2006Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish South Silver Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 2.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15" | 11" | 28" |
| 2016 | 25" | — | 29" |
| 2010 | 19" | — | — |
| 2006 | 27" | 16" | 37" |
| 2002 | 28" | 12" | 23" |
| 1998 | 28" | 16" | 34" |
| 1994 | 26" | 19" | 29" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 740 adults |
| 2023 | Northern Pike | 504 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 13,294 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Yellow Perch | 1,680 adults |
| 2021 | Walleye | 270 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,806 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 4,091 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 141,933 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
South Silver Lake is a 245-acre, deep lake, located in Martin County. The maximum depth is 22 feet, making it one of the deeper lakes in the Windom management area. A survey was conducted the week of August 8, 2022 to monitor the fish population using 3 gill nets and 9 trap nets. Fourteen species of fish were caught during the survey. Common Carp (27.4%), Black Crappie (24.4%), Freshwater Drum (15.7%), Black Bullhead (9.7%), and Bigmouth Buffalo (9.3%) were most abundant by percent of total biomass (pounds). All other species (Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, White Crappie, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Channel Catfish) each made up 3% or less of the total biomass. South Silver Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch. Walleye and Yellow Perch will continue to be actively stocked and managed. Additionally, Black Crappie are a species of interest and will be closely monitored as they are popular among local anglers.
Two Walleye were caught in gill nets and 6 Walleye were caught in trap nets. The gill net catch rate was 0.67 per gill net, less than the lower expected range for class 24 lakes (expected range is 1.2 to 6.3 per gill net) and less than the long term average of 2.4 per gill net. Lengths of Walleye ranged from just under 10 inches to 16 inches and averaged nearly 13 inches. Historical Walleye stocking on South Silver shows that fingerlings, yearlings, and adults work best to maintain a fishable population. While our management goal was not met (catch rate of 2.5 per gill net was not attained), we are committed to stocking Walleye in South Silver and any surplus production may be stocked in South Silver to help boost the population. While South Silver is not necessarily considered a top destination in the area for Walleye, we do manage it so that anglers have the opportunity at times for Walleye. Northern Pike should also be considered as a top predator to help thin out natural reproduction of Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, and Bigmouth Buffalo. One Northern Pike, 28 inches, was sampled. Northern Pike have historically occurred at low abundances in South Silver Lake. Occasional stocking of advanced fingerling fish now produced at Warren Lake near Windom may help add an important predator to the lake.
Read the full DNR narrative
Yellow Perch relative abundance has fluctuated widely since sampling began in 1957. Recently, since 2010, catch rates have fluctuated from 22.25 per net in 2010 to 59.0 per net in 2016 and back down to 4.0 per net in 2022. The current gill net catch rate is the lowest since 2006 (2.25 per net) and the second lowest on record. It appears the decline was due to an aging adult population that is now absent from the lake with most fish currently under 7 inches. Only 1 Yellow Perch was larger than 8 inches (8.3 inches), most ranged from 5 to 7.5 inches and averaged 6.5 inches. A fishable population of Yellow Perch is present, although smaller sized. If needed, Yellow Perch will be stocked, but at this time it does not appear that is necessary as brood sized fish are present.
Black Crappie are the bright spot among all species in South Silver Lake. The trap net catch rate was 16.9 per trap net, the greatest catch rate ever observed in South Silver Lake. Lengths of Black Crappie ranged from 5.5 to 8.5 inches in the gill nets and 5.5 to 10.5 inches in the trap nets with an average of 8 inches. Health of the Black Crappie in the sample was good with many plump fish. Black Crappie angling could be very good with strong year classes approaching 9 to 10 inches in length.
Angling may be tough for Walleye and Yellow Perch over the next several years in South Silver Lake. They will be present in the lake, but relative abundance was lower than desired during sampling in 2022 and may be difficult to target. Stocking will continue in hopes to boost Walleye abundance and subsequent angling catch rates. With that stated, Black Crappie relative abundance has never been greater. Black Crappie are high on the preference list among Minnesota anglers and should provide an excellent angling and harvest opportunity over the next several years in South Silver.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
South Silver Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on South Silver Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- South Silver Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
South Silver Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Iowa Lake · 705 ac · 0.7 mi
- Willmert (main bay) Lake · 335 ac · 2.9 mi
- Okamanpeedan Lake · 2,268 ac · 5.2 mi
- East Chain Lake · 481 ac · 5.2 mi
- Amber Lake · 182 ac · 6 mi
- Bright Lake · 639 ac · 6.3 mi
- Hall Lake · 548 ac · 7.1 mi
- Budd Lake · 228 ac · 8.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is South Silver Lake?
South Silver Lake reaches 22 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 14 ft; about 56% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is South Silver Lake?
South Silver Lake covers 252 acres with about 4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in South Silver Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on South Silver Lake average 2.8 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in South Silver Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, white bass.
Is South Silver Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does South Silver Lake have a public access?
Yes. South Silver Lake has one public access site: South Silver Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in South Silver Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 15"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was South Silver Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed South Silver Lake in 2022, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for South Silver Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open South Silver Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report