Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Swan Lake Fishing guide
Swan Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 749 acres, reaching 44 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 9.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.6per gill net18"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 45 fish
2022Lengths measured · 29 fish
2017Lengths measured · 49 fish
2013Lengths measured · 59 fish
2009Largemouth bassElite fishery236.4per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 72 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 72 fish
2022Lengths measured · 65 fish
2017Lengths measured · 54 fish
2013Lengths measured · 26 fish
2009No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers9.3per gill net21"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 90 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 90 fish
2022Lengths measured · 117 fish
2017Lengths measured · 230 fish
2013Lengths measured · 70 fish
2009BluegillFair numbers49.5per trap net4"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 585 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 585 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1244 fish
2017Lengths measured · 658 fish
2013Lengths measured · 398 fish
2009CrappieJust a few0.3per trap net8"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 36 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 36 fish
2022Lengths measured · 146 fish
2017Lengths measured · 88 fish
2013Lengths measured · 10 fish
2009Yellow perchExcellent numbers14.7per gill net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 134 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 134 fish
2022Lengths measured · 111 fish
2017Lengths measured · 46 fish
2013Lengths measured · 66 fish
2009Rates 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 Swan Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 44 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 44 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
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 | Largemouth bass | Walleye | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19" | 25" | 27" |
| 2017 | 18" | 25" | 30" |
| 2013 | 20" | 27" | 32" |
| 2009 | 16" | 27" | 36" |
| 2005 | 17" | 27" | 31" |
| 2001 | 22" | 27" | 30" |
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:
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
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 | 371,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 10,500 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 371,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 11,820 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 371,000 fry |
| 2020 | Walleye | 6,240 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 371,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 4,500 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 371,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Swan Lake is a 689-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately three miles southeast of Fergus Falls, MN. Swan Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The Pomme de Terre River outlet is located along the south shoreline of the lake and is unnavigable. The immediate watershed of Swan Lake is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Swan Lake is 44 feet; however, 54% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 8.1 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.5 to 17.2 feet.
A majority of the shoreline of Swan Lake has been developed. The development consists primarily of homes and cottages. A resort/campground is located along the southeast shoreline. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the east shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand, gravel, and rubble. Hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the shoreline of the southern portion of Swan Lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Read the full DNR narrative
Because of its proximity to Fergus Falls, Swan Lake is a popular angling lake. Swan Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in Swan Lake.
Northern Pike abundance has remained high, but the size structure has improved in recent surveys. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 18.3 to 27.6 inches with an average length and weight of 22.1 inches and 2.3 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 25.5 inches at five years of age.
Data from a spring electrofishing survey indicate that a balanced Largemouth Bass population exists. Age data indicate that Largemouth Bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 2.9 inches to 19.5 inches with an average length and weight of 14.3 inches and 1.8 pounds. Largemouth Bass attain an average length of 13.1 inches at four years of age.
Data from a spring trapnetting survey indicate that the Black Crappie population is abundant and that the size structure is good. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.9 to 13.7 inches. Thirty-five percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.6 inches at five years of age.
Bluegill abundance and size structure tend to fluctuate due to inconsistent reproduction. Only one percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.7 inches at seven years of age.
Walleye abundance has historically remained at a moderate level. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.0 to 25.8 inches with an average length and weight of 17.2 inches and 2.0 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 16.8 at four years of age.
Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
Swan Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2019. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Swan Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Swan 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
- Swan Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Swan Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Iverson Lake · 68 ac · 2 mi
- Rose Lake · 108 ac · 2.2 mi
- Pebble Lake · 195 ac · 3 mi
- Wall Lake · 727 ac · 4.1 mi
- North Tenmile Lake · 654 ac · 4.7 mi
- Wright Lake · 67 ac · 5.6 mi
- Dayton Hollow Reservoir · 227 ac · 5.9 mi
- Hoot Lake · 161 ac · 6.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Swan Lake?
Swan Lake reaches 44 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 13 ft; about 50% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Swan Lake?
Swan Lake covers 749 acres with about 9.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Swan Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Swan Lake average 9.3 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Swan Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Swan Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Swan Lake have a public access?
Yes. Swan Lake has one public access site: Swan Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Swan Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 19"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2001.
When was Swan Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Swan Lake in 2022, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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