Silver Lake

Silver Lake near 44.8968, -94.2034 is a lake in McLeod County, Minnesota. Silver Lake covers about 453 acres, reaches a recorded 6 feet and holds about 1,708 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Silver Lake Affect Fishing

Silver Lake is shallow enough that wind, weeds, shade and even a small dip in the bottom can make one part fish better than another.

Fish and Baits at Silver Lake

Fish reported from Silver Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, largemouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Silver Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Silver Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Silver Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Silver Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

How the Seasons Change Silver Lake

Spring at Silver Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is best early or late around weeds, shade and the few deeper holes. Fall at Silver Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Silver Lake

On a first trip to Silver 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 Silver Lake

A medium spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound line handles most jigs, worms and small lures at Silver Lake, while a medium-heavy rod is better for bass jigs and heavier bottom rigs.

Silver Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 453-acre Silver Lake?

At Silver 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 6-foot deep end of Silver Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Silver Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 1,708 acre-foot storage figure mean at Silver Lake?

At Silver Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.