Swan Lake near 44.9110, -94.2351 is a lake in McLeod County, Minnesota. Swan Lake covers about 352 acres and reaches a recorded 10 feet.
How the Size and Shape of Swan Lake Affect Fishing
Swan 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 Swan Lake
Fish reported from Swan Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Swan Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at 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 Swan Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Swan Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp
For bottom fishing at 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.
How the Seasons Change Swan Lake
Spring at Swan 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 Swan Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Swan Lake
On a first trip to 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 Swan Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Swan Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Swan Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 352-acre Swan Lake?
At 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 10-foot deep end of Swan Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Swan Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
Which reported fish is a simple first target at Swan Lake?
Black bullhead is on the fish list for Swan Lake, so start with a bait made for that fish instead of guessing at a species that may not be there.
Nearby fishing waters
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.