Minnesota · DNR survey data
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake covers 5 acres in Yellow Medicine County, running to 5 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2016. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2025Present, stocked0.6per trap net12"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 9 fish
2016Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2013Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2009Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2004Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassNo recent survey ratingNo recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
Lengths measured · 61 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 1 fish
2016Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 60 fish
2013Lengths measured · 4 fish
2004Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeStocked · 2019Present, stocked0.6per trap net21"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 3 fish
2016Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2013Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2009Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2004Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillJust a few4.2per trap net1"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 442 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 440 fish
2016Lengths measured · 2 fish
2013Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 39 fish
2009Lengths measured · 74 fish
2004CrappieJust a few1.6per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 48 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 33 fish
2016Lengths measured · 15 fish
2013Lengths measured · 9 fish
2009Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2004Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchPresent1per trap net2"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1475 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 26 fish
2016Lengths measured · 1449 fish
2013Lengths measured · 2 fish
2009Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2004No recent survey rating.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 79 yearlings · 401 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 515 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 144 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 125 yearlings · 108 adults |
| 2021 | Walleye | 204 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 229 yearlings · 160 adults |
| 2019 | Northern Pike | 200 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 70 yearlings · 464 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 303 yearlings · 287 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 109 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 153 yearlings · 104 adults |
Recent reports
Sylvan Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Sylvan 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.
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Del Clark Lake · 156 ac · 1.2 mi
- R6 Lake · 33 ac · 4.7 mi
- John Reservoir · 21 ac · 5.2 mi
- Porter Reservoir · 16 ac · 8.8 mi
- Steep Bank Lake · 199 ac · 11.8 mi
- Popowski Lake · 143 ac · 13.4 mi
- Perch Lake · 246 ac · 13.4 mi
- Hendricks Lake · 1,522 ac · 17.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Sylvan Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Sylvan Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Sylvan Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2016) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Sylvan Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Sylvan Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Sylvan Lake in 2016, the most recent of 9 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .