Big Swan Lake near 45.1464, -94.2800 is a lake in Meeker County, Minnesota. Big Swan Lake covers about 694 acres, reaches a recorded 32 feet and holds about 10,416 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Big Swan Lake Affect Fishing
Big Swan Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.
Fish and Baits at Big Swan Lake
Fish reported from Big Swan Lake include bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, common shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, northern pike, pumpkinseed, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass, smallmouth buffalo, spottail shiner, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Big Swan Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Big Swan Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Big Swan Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Big Swan Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp
For bottom fishing at Big Swan Lake, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Big Swan Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
How the Seasons Change Big Swan Lake
Spring at Big Swan Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Big Swan Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Big Swan Lake
On a first trip to Big Swan Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Big Swan Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Big Swan Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Big Swan Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 694-acre Big Swan Lake?
At Big Swan Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 32-foot deep end of Big Swan Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Big Swan Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 10,416 acre-foot storage figure mean at Big Swan Lake?
At Big Swan Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.