Lake information report

Name: SWAN

Nearest Town: FERGUS FALLS, MN Primary County: Otter Tail Survey Date: 08/15/2005 Inventory Number: 56-0781-00

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Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled up to the 2005 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species Sampled for All Gear for the 2005 Survey Year

Fish Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelines enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.

Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15

General Population

DOWID - MN DNR, Divion of Waters' lake ID number.

Contaminants listed were measured at levels high enough to warrant a recommendation to limit consumption.

Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.

Dioxin
Mercury
PCBS - Polychlorinated biphenyls
PFOS - Perfluorooctane sulfanate

Status of the Fishery (as of 08/15/2005)

Swan Lake is a 689-acre mesotrophic 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. The outlet 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 2005 lake survey was 4.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 6.5 to 17.2 feet. Periodic plankton/algae blooms during the summer months can influence secchi disk readings. Swan Lake is included in class 25 of the MN DNR lake classification scheme. A majority of the shoreline of Swan Lake has been developed. The development consists primarily of homes and cottages. The 1994 lake survey referenced 125 homes/cottages and one resort. A DNR owned 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. 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 fish species in Swan Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. A high-density northern pike population exists. Age data indicate that pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern pike ranged in length from 11.5 to 31.3 inches with an average length and weight of 18.1 inches and 1.4 pounds. Northern pike attain an average length of 20.5 inches at five years of age. Growth rate estimates are slower than average northern pike growth rates for class 25 lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area. Data collected from a spring electrofishing assessment indicated that Swan Lake has a high-density largemouth bass population. Largemouth bass reproduction is also consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 3.5 to 16.5 inches with an average length and weight of 11.8 inches and 0.9 pound. Largemouth bass attain an average length of 11.9 inches at four years of age. Growth rate estimates are equivalent to average bass growth rates for class 25 lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area. The black crappie test-net catch rate was within the normal range for class 25 lakes. Crappies ranged in length from 5.8 to 13.7 inches with an average length and weight of 8.9 inches and 0.5 pound. Thirty-eight percent of the crappies were at least 9.0 inches in length. Black crappie attain an average length of 9.6 inches at five years of age. Growth rate estimates are slower than average black crappie growth rates for class 25 lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area. The bluegill test-net catch rate was within the normal range for class 25 lakes. Age data from recent assessments indicate that bluegill reproduction is inconsistent. Nine percent of the bluegills were at least 7.0 inches in length. Bluegill attain an average length of 6.6 inches at seven years of age. Growth rate estimates are slower than average bluegill growth rates for class 25 lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area. The walleye test-net catch rate was within the normal range for class 25 lakes. The DNR stocks 371,000 walleye fry on a biennial basis and natural reproduction also contributes to the walleye population. Walleye ranged in length from 7.1 to 27.1 inches with an average length and weight of 14.2 inches and 1.3 pounds. Walleye exhibit good growth with an average length of 14.3 inches at three years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Swan Lake 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.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 1509 1st Ave N Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Phone: (218) 739-7576 Internet: Fergus Falls Fisheries E-Mail: FergusFalls.Fisheries@state.mn.us	Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore 660 Olive Street St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757 To order, use B0293 for the map-id.
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us	Turn in Poachers (TIP):     Toll-free: (800) 652-9093